BILLBOARD - Bill ColemanNew York-based act Pop Tarts have really developed over the years and their new album "Age of the Thing" proves the point. Covering a gamut of styles, the tracks shine in their own infectious way. Programmers shouldn't hesitate to drop the needle anywhere, but do seek out "Shame" , "Off Your Mind (Can't Get 'Em)", "Cherry Red", "Ultra-Brite", and "Electric Kool Aid Acid." It's everything you ever liked about Soft Cell, Cabaret Voltaire, Visage, and Pet shop Boys all on one album. Don't miss. |
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SASSYHere's proof that you can make an album in your bedroom. Yes, this New York-based duo, Fenton and Randy Tart, actually recorded all 11 tracks on this very smokin' album in a friend's room and the results (with the exception of a few ballads) are irresistibly danceable. Just to give you an idea, these guys do bear a faint resemblance to the Pet Shop Boys; their sound is definitely of the techno variety. But the emphasis here is on funk rather than pop, and the lyrics are way cleverer than the British duo's. I especially like "Money, Success, Fame, Glamour!" an amusing swipe at the jaded superficiality of our times, and the sweat-inducing "Shame!" But really, it's awfully hard to single a few out. See for yourself. (P.S. Since the Tarts are not on a major label, you may have trouble finding a copy. It so, contact Funtone USA, PO Box 54472, Atlanta GA 30308) Mary Kaye |
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TRAX
The band produced the entire album in a friend's bedroom and the result is magic. Polyrhythmic tracks in a variety of styles combine the best elements of the Pet Shoe Boys, Cabaret Voltaire, and Information Society. Don't get it wrong, this group has a sound all it's own and there isn't a bad track on this album. |
MONTREAL MIRROR - Etienne GilfillianThis eccentric New York duo have definitely got a good thing going. The production may get a little busy at times, but the sheer diversity and uniqueness of the material make this a killer album. Shame has all the hallmarks of a hit single, including Pet Shop Boy-ish vocals and lyrics, and Money! Success! Fame! Glamour! brings back memories of early Soft Cell. The material relies heavily on sampled sounds, giving the band an edge not commonly found in American keyboard acts. With a debut album like this one, the Pop Tarts seemed destined for the stardom they mock so insolently. |
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DANCE MUSIC REPORT
Another group whose recording haven't quite lived up to its live shows is the Pop Tarts. That was true until now. The band's "Age of the Thing" (a testament of today's money-hungry, materialistic times) on World of Wonder/Funtone fuses the best of pop dance and rock. Fenton and Randy P.T. and company have sometimes been compared to the Pet Shop Boys who are much too lifeless and pretentious to be in the same league as this fun crew.
Produced by keyboardist Charlie Roth (producer of Noel, Shannon, Steinski) and Randy and Fenton, the track "Shame" is one smokin dance song for all formats so DJs take particular note of this one. "Elected", "Red Rock", "Electric Kool Aid Acid", and "Cherry Red" from their '88 EP are included as well as last year's pop wonder "Another Grey Day in London" single. "Love Transformer" is one of my new faves - with the sentiment of a ballad without the put-me-to-sleep melody that usually accompanies that genre.
Really everything here is a fave - the absolute fun rendition of "Elected"; the rockin "Red Rock", the sparkling gem "Another Grey Day in London" (ooh that piano outro does something to me!) "Electric Kool Aid Acid" with the funk sleeze feel. The heavily synthesized "Off Your Mind" recalls avant electronic music in its early flirtations with a dance beat underlying various permutations of the voice.
The closing track "Theme from Flaunt It TV" was from the band's old cable show and is definitely one of the album's highlights. It's a campy throwback to those finger snapping, foot tapping cool jazz numbers that were famous years ago but is this one great! If it were a choice between the new whatever and this one, I'd gladly invest my greenbacks i this piece of vinyl.
I only hope this album can get all its due without the advantage of a major label logo or big bucks behind it. "Age of the Thing" should be pressed in gold because it is a goldmine. |