Goldfrapp have gone onto more popular acclaim as some sex fuelled disco funk hybrid. This their/her first album is an entirely different beast and all the better for it. Named 'Felt mountain', we're talking about the summit of a peak, isolated and frozen.

We kick off with 'Lovely head' which sounds like a cross between 'From Russia with Love' and the Dr. Who theme tune. Its eerie and sparkling, glacial and seductive. This pretty much sets the tune for the rest of the album. If thinking Cocteau Twins, think Victorialand. But all teh time with Alison Goldfrapp's alluring vocals. You really want to sink beneath those silken sheets. It is no wonder she turned into a vamp afterwards.

On this album though, rather than a metronome of a bass line we have rick, luscious backing music, full of strings and sound effects. Did I mention eerie? I'll mention it again. This is Ed Wood's ideal soundtrack.

Things get a bit menacing on 'Human' and sound like an Eastern European spy, or perhaps vampire, who's about to finish me off. Nicely squelchy weird beat to this one.

Next on 'Pilots' she seduces me again in a darling Dusty Springfield tone. Its a lullaby and I'm fast falling. 'Murmurs of our friendly machine'!! Well there you are then. Whatever you say Alison.

Side one ends off with Deer stop, which really does sound like a home recording. No sweeping strings here. Just a home made Bjork warbling away into a tissue covered mic. Just as I'm about to fall asleep I'm woken by a crescendo. Right before the song ends. I guess its time to change sides.

Which starts off with one of the more glorious moments on the record(and there are many), 'Felt Mountain. Planet of the apes, Forbidden Planet, no its Alison Goldfrapp going dee da da da da da dey dee da da da da da dey dee.

Side two is the more instrumental side, but really the music doesn't change much. Although song 2 on side 2 sounds like Amelie gone wrong, or perhaps just a reliving of the theme tune to the third mine and the disturbing Harry Lime. Yes its a brass band and a flugal horn solo on 'Oompa Radar'. Very good it is too. Alison still lends a few vocal duties. It is a Goldfrapp album after all. This is the only track on the album you could manage much of a dance to. Unless you count shoegazing or kissing your partner as dancing.

Before we finish off the album with the slow and quieter 'Horse Tears' we have the epic 'Utopia'. Beautiful! Glorious! Splendid! Drenched with strings and synthesisers. Its really bloody marvellous.

If you think this review has been flippant, don't worry that's just the wine.

Its a great album. Its uniform in tone, but its very very beautiful. If you like strings and high pitched crystalline female vocals. You'll love the album. Its a modern take and many sixties science fiction soundtracks. Its not catchy at all, and there's no way you'll be dancing to this down your local.

Buy it!

Now!

Digital recordings are cold. This music is cold. Its hard to tell which is which. Vinyl is very good from Mute. Packaging is reasonable.

Glodfrapp 

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