retroblog.net

heh, this brand new music video is a perfect fit for this ol’ retro music blog. Goldfrapp and company did a fantastic job combining early 80′s fitness fashions with the modern day fixation with vampires. ha, ha. love it. Happy friday, everyone!

Purchase the new album by Goldfrapp – Head First via CDUniverse.

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Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory are preparing to head out on the road for the summer in support of Goldfrapp‘s latest release, Head First. Personally, I would have liked more U.S. shows but that’s just me. in any case it looks like they’ve got a solid schedule of dates scattered all around the globe.

Jun 7 2010 O2 Academy, Oxford
Jun 8 2010 The Assembly, Leamington Spa
Jun 11 2010 B1 Club Moscow
Jun 21 2010 9:30 Club, Washington DC
Jun 23 2010 Hammerstein, New York
Jun 26 2010 Fox Theater Oakland CA
Jun 27 2010 Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
Jul 9 2010 Oxegen, Naas, Eire
Jul 11 2010 T in the Park, Kinross, Scotland
Jul 15 2010 Mares Vivas, Vila Nova De Gaia
Jul 16 2010 Bennicassim, Valencia
Jul 18 2010 Melt, Gräfenhainichen, Germany
Jul 22 2010 Itunes, London
Jul 29 2010 Big Top, Sydney
Jul 30 2010 Big Top, Sydney
Aug 1 2010 Splendour, Australia Woodford
Aug 3 2010 Australia, Palais Melbourne
Aug 14 2010 Rock Oz Arenes, Switzerland Avenches
Aug 16 2010 Den Atelier Luxembourg
Aug 18 2010 Paradiso Amsterdam
Aug 19 2010 Belgium, Pukkelpop
Aug 21 2010 V Festival, Weston Park
Aug 22 2010 V Festival, Hylands Park, Chelmsford
Aug 28 2010 L.E.D Festival UK, London

Here’s Goldfrapp’s recent appearance on Jonathan Ross:

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After their left turn into folk-pop in 2008, Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory are now back on the dance floor (albeit 80′s style) with their new album Head First. The set opens up with a nod and a wink to 80′s-era Olivia Newton John (as well as a synth patch straight out of Van Halen’s “Jump”) titled “Rocket”. The song’s got a huge hook and sets the tone for the rest of the album that takes us on a journey back to the days of neon spandex and legwarmers. Allison’s voice is captivating and sultry as ever and Will’s clever arrangements are always fun to hear.

standouts include: “Alive”, “Rocket” and “I Wanna Life”. My personal favorite is “Dreaming” which features a Kate Bush vibe with Vince Clarke/Erasure-type keyboard parts.

the only misstep here is that the 80′s nostalgia (i.e. new wave synths, retro drum sounds) ends up overshadowing some of the songs and almost brings things down into the realm of parody. Also the second half of the album drags a bit with melody lines and chord progressions becoming too derivative of other works. Abstract album closer “Voicething” compounds the problem by ending things on an incomplete note. But I’m being picky here. Overall, it’s an enjoyable album to listen to and I’m sure Goldfrapp fans worldwide will be snapping up this release in a hurry.

RetroGrade : B

Head First
Goldfrapp
label: Mute
released: 22 March 2010

TrackList:
1 Rocket
2 Believer
3 Alive
4 Dreaming
5 Head First
6 Hunt
7 Shiny And Warm
8 I Wanna Life
9 Voicething

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Mute Records recently announced the release date for a brand new studio album from the U.K. based duo Goldfrapp. “Head First” will be released on March 23rd, 2010. The first single, titled “Rocket”, will be out on March 9th. “Head First” is the followup to their critically acclaimed Seventh Tree album. From what I’ve heard, the group has gotten the folk-vibe (ala Seventh Tree) out of their system and is back in the electro-dance groove. We’ll see what they’ve got under their sleeve in a couple months..

And yes, the announcement is yet another excuse for me to post a photo of Alison Goldfrapp.

enjoy.

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Goldfrapp just announced some upcoming live dates including a couple here in the U.S.

I still can’t get enough of their new single A&E. It’s an instant classic in my book.

Here are the dates:

April 12 – Rotterdam, Motel Mozaique
April 16 – Paris, Casino de Paris
April 18 – London, Royal Festival Hall
April 25 – Indio, Calif., Coachella
April 26 – San Francisco, Calif., Warfield Theatre
April 29 – New York City, N.Y., Beacon Theater
June 21 – Bexhill-on-Sea, South, De Le Warr Pavilion
June 22 – Birmingham, Midlands, Birmingham Symphony Hall
June 23 – Manchester, Northwest, Bridgewater Hall
June 25 – London, Royal Albert Hall
June 30 – Glasgow, Scotland, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
July 1 – Gateshead, Sage

..OK, OK, I’ll admit that I was just looking for an excuse to post this photo of Alison Goldfrapp…

Wow. I was expecting more of the glitz and the glam similar to their previous work on Supernature but in a surprising turn, Goldfrapp has mutated toward ethereal, psychedelic folk-pop on their new album Seventh Tree. it’s a daring move and I totally respect them for it. Even without the dancefloor beats, Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory still deliver melodic hooks galore. Goldfrapp’s splendid vocals pull the listener into a sonic landscape of rolling hills and fields of green. my absolute favorites off the album include A&E and Road to Somewhere. the melodies seep deep into your brain and won’t let go. this one’s definitely a keeper.

watch the music video for A&E on youtube:

—
It’s a blue, bright blue Saturday, hey hey
And the pain has started to slip away, hey hey
I’m in a backless dress on a pastel ward that’s shining
I think I want you still but it may be pills at work
Do you really wanna know how I was dancing on the floor?
I was trying to phone you when I’m crawling out the door
I’m amazed at you, the things you say that you don’t do
Why don’t you ring?
I was feeling lonely, feeling blue
Feeling like I needed you
And I’ve woken up surrounded by me, A&E
..How did I get to accident and emergency?
All I wanted was you to take me out
I was feeling lonely, feeling blue
Feeling like I needed you
And I hoped you’d call and hoped you’d see me, A&E
-A&E, written by Goldfrapp/Gregory

Seventh Tree Tracklist:
1 Clowns
2 Little Bird
3 Happiness
4 Road to Somewhere
5 Eat Yourself
6 Some People
7 A&E
8 Cologne Cerrone Houdini
9 Caravan Girl
10 Monster Love