(1) Blonde Redhead’s last album – ‘Misery Is A Butterfly’ – established them once and for all as one of the most distinctive and precious bands of their generation. 2007 sees them return with something even more spellbinding, ‘23′. Recorded and produced by the band in New York City during the second half of last year, they drafted in Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio) to engineer it while mixing duties were shared by Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Killers, Nine Inch Nails) and Rich Costey (Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Bloc Party). The resulting album is as rich and densely-layered as the last one, but the overall mood of wistfulness, melancholy and regret has been replaced by one of mystical wonder and renewed energy.
(2) Blonde Redhead has really softened over the years — you won’t find angular melodies and jagged guitars in «23.» In fact, it’s not really rock at all. Instead the New York band spins out full-blown, sensual melodies out of smooth keyboard and gently cycling riffs. They try out all kinds of pop sounds here, but never lose the delicate dreampop edge. (…) Makino’s voice is almost painfully ethereal; she sounds positively ghostly at times. The songs she sings don’t hurt the impression — they’re full of pain, loneliness, and even when you’re happy, it can’t last. (…) This is not quite the same Blonde Redhead as in their prior albums, but they’re as good at exquisite shimmering pop as they are at indie-rock. (E. A. Solinas)
Tracklisting:
1 23 (5:19)
2 Dr. Strangeluv (4:47)
3 The Dress (4:01)
4 SW (4:36) // French Horn – Morgan King (2)
5 Spring And By Summer Fall (4:16)
6 Silently (3:57) // Producer [Very Special Help] – Mitchell Froom
7 Publisher (4:02)
8 Heroine (4:11) // Electronics [Robot Voice] – Chris Coady
9 Top Ranking (3:27) // Producer [Very Special Help] – Mitchell Froom
10 My Impure Hair (4:52)
Label: 4AD
Format: CD
Country: UK
Genres: indie rock / indie pop / dream pop
Credits: Artwork By – Alex Gross; Artwork By [Art Direction] – David Heasty; Artwork By [Creative Direction] – Alexander Gelman; Bass – Skuli Sverrisson; Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Savours (tracks: 1, 2, 6), Brian Thorn, Ted Young; Engineer [Assistant], Edited By [Part] – Eddie Jackson; Mastered By – Greg Calbi; Mixed By – Alan Moulder (tracks: 1, 2, 6), Rich Costey (tracks: 3 to 5, 7 to 10); Producer, Written-By – Blonde Redhead; Recorded By – Chris Coady
Links: Official Website || Album’s Official Website || @MySpace || @Last.FM || @Discogs || @Wikipedia
Download: @InfoStore [UA-IX] || @IFolder || @RapidShare
Grade: 10/10
Не хочется много говорить. Открыл, благодаря «Атмосфере». Носился летними ночами, слушая кассетки с песнями этого итальянско-японского трио. Новый альбом, что называется, превзошёл все самые смелые. На мой взгляд, он даже лучше предыдущего. Вкусный и разнообразный. И всё бессовестно красиво. Закончу шаблончиком – band’s best offer to date.
«the light you see in my eyes, you do have something to do with
play the game namely love, play it like you have nothing to lose
horse loves you when you move with him
people hate you when you’re changing
don’t let the dress trick you
i love you less
now that i know you
i won’t count the scars again
i love you less
now that i know you»
***
«what we need is a persuasion
what you give is retaliation
i hope one day we meet again
i hope one day we love one another»
