ESL – Eye Contact
Gypsys are bloody everywhere at the moment, but although I am becoming more picky, I can’t say I am tired of them yet. It’s Polish ones this time, albeit Canadian Polish, and given the general enthusiasm Eastern European countries have traditionally shown for either exterminating or persecuting their ethnic gypsy populations it seems somewhat ironic that it is these very groups who are being so enthusiastically embraced by the never-sated Western Musical Beast of Infinite Cravings.
To get the criticisms in quickly: there are occasions when this contains just a little too much kooky lady-pop for my liking – the same criticisms I levelled at Feist and St. Vincent and, to a lesser extent perhaps, CocoRosie. There are definitely one or two occasions when this album gets on my nerves a little, but not many.
For the most part, the rest of it is a fine execution of that melodramatic gypsy folk pop that has become a sensitive indie staple in the last couple of years, spiked with some genuinely inspired covers of Neil Young’s Like a Hurricane, The Velvet Underground’s Venus in Furs and, honestly, Girls by the Beastie Boys. Instead of the unhinged carnival atmosphere of the more faithful plunderers of this genre, this is more of a feminine lit-pop vibe.
It’s odd, but I keep coming back to the feeling that this is lady music. I am not deliberately trying to be sexist or provocative, but I hear something ‘for women’ in this. Maybe it’s the noughties equivalent of a kind of literate 80s fem-pop, loosely based around an appreciation for World Music. Then again, maybe I’m conflating all my vague prejudices against the 80s, spiritual ladies and world music into one big, meaningless spectre of grumble, hiding in the background of a certain kind of music.
Ah well, who really cares. There are some great moments on this album and, as long as you don’t mind some of the more St. Vincenty-Feisty bits which I find slightly less enjoyable, then you should find plenty to enjoy here.
E.S.L. – Like a Hurricane
E.S.L. – Prove Me Wrong
I like this. Does that mean I’m a kooky lady gypsy?
I also like those gypsy skirts with the swishy frills and I use Herbal Essences shampoo.
And what a fabulous pair of breasts as well.
I read the first line and thought “Christ, he’s gone all Daily Mail on me”