Goldfrapp
Train (Mute 9207)

The first US single off Goldfrapp's nicely naughty Black Cherry is a strong lead-off, though not the best song from the album. It's a slow-brewing stomper, sort of an electronic "Rock & Roll Pt. 2," with an insistent backbeat, pumping synth bass, and the scrumptious vocals of Alison Goldfrapp, sounding as though Elizabeth Fraser had been sexually awakened by Donna Summer's "I Feel Love."

The EP features the single mix, the excellent, gritty, growly Village Hall remix (already my #1 mix-disc hit of the year), another remix, grindy and Germanic, and the b-side "Big Black Cloud, Little White Lie," which is more of a chillout pillowsong for the drowsyeye hours of comedown.

I haven't been this jazzed about CD-singles since the golden age of Depeche Mode. This one doesn't offer quite as complete a meal as Twist, but it's a nice serving of champagne and strawberries to accompany your chosen moments of decadence.

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by Thomas Long-and-Strong