December 12, 2009

Goldfrapp - Odd name, great music!




I discovered Goldfrapp years ago, just after they had released their first album, 'Felt Mountain'. I can even remember when I bought the CD because I was immediately drawn to it on the store shelf by its unique cover image. Well, that and the odd name. Both factors combined to ensure my sampling of it at a nearby listening station, and once I'd heard the music along with Alison's beautiful voice, I was hooked!

The band is Alison Goldfrapp (that's where the funny name comes from) and Will Gregory. Their sound is hard to pin down because it has varied over the last 4 albums, but I guess you could say that it's basically electronic pop at the core. 'Felt Mountain', which came out back in 2000, had a very cinematic sound with elements of cabaret, folk, ambient and electronica. Alison's voice range is so insane that, on this album in particular, it's operatic at times!

Here's a music video from 'Felt Mountain' for the song, 'Utopia'...








Gorgeously shot video, wouldn't you say? Even though it is a little creepy toward the end, with all of that blue goop being sucked up through Alison's nose and into her brain. And that's assuming that who we're seeing is the real Alison because it also appears as though some sort of cloning has occurred. That was my interpretation of it, anyway. Maybe, you saw a different story?

Their second album, 'Black Cherry', went waaay off in a different direction! Released in 2003, it was a dance/glam rock inspired powerhouse and I LOVED IT! Not only was the music really hot and sexy, Alison completely transformed her image from a sophisticated Marlene Dietrich look into that of a New Wave diva. And it works on her, let me tell you!

Take a look for yourself. This is the music video for 'Strict Machine', the second single off of 'Black Cherry' which reached #1 on the dance charts...








Now, was that HOT, or what?! Alison has got it goin' ON! Cool hair, too, huh?! I've always liked her awesome blonde, curly locks. If I were a lady, that's the hair I'd want. Fo' sho!

With the third album, 'Supernature', Alison & Will decided to stick with the electro dance vibe. And because of that, I was a very happy, bouncing 35-year-old boy! Although released in 2005, 'Supernature' received 2 Grammy nominations in 2007. One for "Best Electronic/Dance Album" and another for "Best Dance Recording" which was specifically for the first single, 'Ooh La La'. That was all really cool, but I don't get how the timing worked out for those? Album released in 2005... Grammy nominations 2 years later in 2007... Huh? Whatever.

The song, 'Number 1', was the second single off of 'Supernature', and also my favorite track on that album. Here's the music video for your viewing and listening pleasure...





Great song, beautiful lady, cute dogs and a fun sense of humor... What more could you want?! I guess that the dogs with the human bodies are a bit disturbing, but I think that's sorta the point.

In 2008, Goldfrapp released their fourth album, 'Seventh Tree'. And with it, they shifted gears once again to replace their electronic dance groove with more ambient and down tempo music. One of the main things they did was incorporate acoustic guitars in order to create a "warmer" sound.

The first single off of 'Seventh Tree', and a fine example of the warmer, down tempo sound was, 'A & E'. Go ahead, take a look & a listen...









I like how Alison seems to be communing with nature. The dancing leaves and dancing tree people are wonderful. Did you happen to see the fox run by? He was very quick! There was also a beautiful brief shot of an owl. Did you see him?

This excellent duo just finished recording their fifth album, 'Head First', and it's scheduled for release in late March, 2010. An excerpt from the band's official website describes the new album as, "Goldfrapp's most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance." Also, the first single will be, 'Rocket'. I cannot wait! I just know that I'm gonna love it! Alison could probably sing the phone book and I'd be perfectly happy...

So that's my nutshell bio on Goldfrapp. There's actually a lot more interesting stuff about them, and more videos, too. I guess you could say this was just an appetizer! If you'd like to know more about them, go check out their website. Plus, Alison has been doing a little blog of her own, although posting entries somewhat sporadically.

Now, I wonder where that 'Rocket' is going? Not that it makes any difference, because I'll be on it no matter where it's headed!



~Photo via Google Images~

11 comments:

  1. Now who said that Madonna is the only woman that can transform herself surely lied? I had heard of GF but never gave it any mind. Well Anthony you made me sit up & take notice. I bet if I raided the spouses cd collection I would find GF as they & my Mr. are royal subjects. Surprised I've never seen them perform on BBC's Graham Norton Show. He always has the best musical performers. As for the first video with the blue goo..cloning perhaps or just another Friday night at your local University's Sorority. Great, fun post Anthony & if my head didn't feel like exploding (cold) I'd be dancing around the room in my leopard jammies. xx

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  2. I'm sorry to hear that you're under-the-weather, Dumbwit. But not at all surprised to find out you wear fashionable leopard jammies!

    Graham Norton is a lot of fun, and he has some great musicians come on. So I would expect a band like Goldfrapp to perform on his show, as well. Maybe they have, and we've just missed it?

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  3. I LOVE Goldfrapp. SO glad you spotlighted them.

    I LOVE Graham Norton just as much. Fun stuff. 50 cent is going to be on the show tonight in fact. That ought to be a good match up eh?

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  4. I get a BIG kick out of Graham Norton, Townhouselady! He's a real hoot! And did you know he's gay? ;)

    I'm real surprised that Graham would have a guest like 50 cent on his show. Isn't 50 majorly homophobic?! If I'm not mistaken, he has said some pretty hateful things before.

    So I don't know if I'd call it a "good match up", but I'd certainly think it an interesting one...

    I'm glad to know that you're a fellow Goldfrapp-er! I'll save you a seat on the 'Rocket', when it takes off in March. :)

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  5. I also got the cloning theme before I read your comment about it! I can't believe I'd somehow never seen that video. I like how in the video for Number 1 she's scratching her ass, because of the whole dog thing. And A&E is just a really great song AND video. I totally love the dancing tree people. I still say their first album, Felt Mountain, is like nails on a chalkboard, but I do like the rest of their stuff a lot. :)
    P.S.- She's a dirty girl, so I think I can guess exactly where the rocket is headed.

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  6. Ha-ha, Tommy, I hadn't thought of that!

    I guess you could say such lewd behavior would give the term "crotchrocket" a whole NEW meaning! ;)

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  7. Anthony, Love your music taste ! They are great ... and Dumbwit's right, Madonna's not the only chameleon on the block ! If you have a dance party, I want to be invited ! xoxo lisa

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  8. Lisa, after the way you shook your tail feather dancing at Dumbwit's Blog Ball...

    Of course you'd be invited to ANY kind of party I'd have! In fact, I would probably want you to decorate it for me! Or, I'd at least ask for a few pointers. Your taste for design is absolutely impeccable! Why, it's even vraiment magnifique! (I think I got that right.)

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  9. Hello, Darling! Firstly, did you get my email?

    Now, holy shit, that woman is BEAUTIFUL!!! I had never heard of them, but, I will be listening to them now. She is awesome, Anthony! I love the last song the most, but watching her is just sweet. Thank you so much for introducing them to me.

    I am going to go fix myself a drink and go to bed and try, try, try to go to sleep.

    xoxoso

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  10. Hey, Six!
    Sadly, I did not get your email... :(

    Did you send it to onefunant@yahoo.com? Where ARE our emails going, anyway?! I wonder if there's a sort of cyber equivalent (to the U.S. Postal Service's dead letter office) for lost emails? You could always try sending it again.

    I'm glad that you like Alison! I think she's SOOO awesome! Beauty, talent, style & sass - She's got it ALL goin' ON! And the band has such a great sound, overall.

    I hope you were able to get a decent night's sleep. I, too, have been challenged in that department lately. But I got a full 6 hrs. of shut-eye the other night, and I felt like Superman when I woke up! :)

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  11. goldfrapp is rad! i need more of it in my life, STAT!!!

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