Tagline: ‘But my house, is in order’To say that Hercules and Love Affair is a diverse group of people seems somewhat of an understatement. The musical project centered around New York-based Dj Andrew Butler and supplemented by an array of guest artists and musicians, rose to prominence in 2008 with their eponymous debut album, a highly danceable nu-disco triumph, but is probably most known for the terrific first single ‘Blind’ featuring Antony Hegarty. Apart from Hegarty it was Kim-Ann Foxman and the ever flamboyant Nomi Ruiz who provided vocals to Butler’s disco beats. But that was then and this is now. In 2011 Antony is no longer supporting – although his part in 2008 was already limited to the actual record, as he didn’t tour with the band. And Nomi Ruiz is currently working on her debut with Jessica 6 alongside Andrew Raposo and Morgan Wiley, (who she met on tour with Hercules and Love Affair. That makes Butler and co’s sophomore album an unpredictable one, if nothing else. Question is whether they'll be able to repeat the exuberance of their first. Lead single 'My House' already suggested the best.
Unfortunately the rest of the album can't always maintain the same level. 'Blue Songs' takes of strong, with the insanely irrestistible disco track 'Painted Eyes'. 'My House' then really gets the party started. The song is carried by one of their trademark minimal disco beat and even though it starts of seemingly muted, it will have you at least tapping along to it by the end. Guest singer Shaun wright's deep, somewhat androgenous voice seemlessly complements the music the way Nomi's used to. In combination with the vibrant retrohouse beats and the ninety-esque video you get quite an opener. 'Answers Come In Dreams' completes the hat trick with its hypnotizing vocals and nu-disco arrangement. About halfway through the album the pace gets a bit lost with a trio of slow songs. 'Leonora' eventually blooms into a sensual satin chic disco ballad, with the help of siren Kim Ann Foxman. But the duo 'Boy Blue' and 'Blue Song' somewhat misses the mark. 'Boy Blue' takes too long to build up to the eery atmosphere of the last two minutes and title-track 'Blue Song' - ironically the title song - is just boring.
After that Butler - like any Dj who notices the dance floor is emptying - opens up a can of his funkiest trumpets on 'Falling', a genuine piece of disco vibes only sans the camp. The second half of the album doesn't always level up to the first tracks (with 'I Can't Wait' as bit of a low) but nevertheless still produces some fine dance tracks. 'Step up' thrives on a beat that reminds of Technotronic's 'Pump Up The Jam' and is provided with vocals by Kele who, for some reason, even when he's toning it down still has the most theatrical voice on the album. And by 'Visitor' Butler has everything back on track. Final track 'It's Alright' - with it's nostalgic atmosphere - forms the perfect cool-down after yet another extremely dancable Hercules and Love Affair record. Andy Butler hasn't lost his gift of filling a dance floor with his misleadingly minimal yet oh so energetic beats. Then again, with wiz kid Butler on the buttons you'll always end up with a pretty decent record. 'Blue Songs' might be one of those albums that has to grow on you - and it undoubtetly will. But it does occasionally lack in sounding as groundbreaking as its predecessor did - even though the infectious beats are often difficult to resist and despite the fact that the absence of Hegarty and Ruiz has been flawlessly filled. Maybe that's just because their debut was so strong, maybe Hercules and Love affair just lost some of its form.
Tracklist
Unfortunately the rest of the album can't always maintain the same level. 'Blue Songs' takes of strong, with the insanely irrestistible disco track 'Painted Eyes'. 'My House' then really gets the party started. The song is carried by one of their trademark minimal disco beat and even though it starts of seemingly muted, it will have you at least tapping along to it by the end. Guest singer Shaun wright's deep, somewhat androgenous voice seemlessly complements the music the way Nomi's used to. In combination with the vibrant retrohouse beats and the ninety-esque video you get quite an opener. 'Answers Come In Dreams' completes the hat trick with its hypnotizing vocals and nu-disco arrangement. About halfway through the album the pace gets a bit lost with a trio of slow songs. 'Leonora' eventually blooms into a sensual satin chic disco ballad, with the help of siren Kim Ann Foxman. But the duo 'Boy Blue' and 'Blue Song' somewhat misses the mark. 'Boy Blue' takes too long to build up to the eery atmosphere of the last two minutes and title-track 'Blue Song' - ironically the title song - is just boring.
After that Butler - like any Dj who notices the dance floor is emptying - opens up a can of his funkiest trumpets on 'Falling', a genuine piece of disco vibes only sans the camp. The second half of the album doesn't always level up to the first tracks (with 'I Can't Wait' as bit of a low) but nevertheless still produces some fine dance tracks. 'Step up' thrives on a beat that reminds of Technotronic's 'Pump Up The Jam' and is provided with vocals by Kele who, for some reason, even when he's toning it down still has the most theatrical voice on the album. And by 'Visitor' Butler has everything back on track. Final track 'It's Alright' - with it's nostalgic atmosphere - forms the perfect cool-down after yet another extremely dancable Hercules and Love Affair record. Andy Butler hasn't lost his gift of filling a dance floor with his misleadingly minimal yet oh so energetic beats. Then again, with wiz kid Butler on the buttons you'll always end up with a pretty decent record. 'Blue Songs' might be one of those albums that has to grow on you - and it undoubtetly will. But it does occasionally lack in sounding as groundbreaking as its predecessor did - even though the infectious beats are often difficult to resist and despite the fact that the absence of Hegarty and Ruiz has been flawlessly filled. Maybe that's just because their debut was so strong, maybe Hercules and Love affair just lost some of its form.
Tracklist
1. Painted Eyes
2. My House
2. My House
3. Answers Come In Dreams
4. Leonora
5. Boy Blue
6. Bleu Song
7. Falling
8. I Can’t Wait
9. Step Up
10. Visitor
11. It’s Alright
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