Portable NYC Club Scene
No love lost on this orgy of disco delights
Hercules and Love Affair
Self titled
Released on Jun 24, 2008
I have never stepped foot inside a Hollister store. They scare me to tell you the truth. The scent of a 16 year olds armpit bellowing out from the entrance is high class for sure. I have even wondered aloud to my friends, "Why is it so dark in there?" and, "Are there side-show attractions locked in cages in there?" The gentle thud, thud, thud of over head music can dull the senses for any fashion conscious teen debating the masculine merits of branded pink t-shirts. These thoughts came to mind upon first listen of self-titled debut from New York's Hercules and Love Affair.
Noxious arm pits aside, my cynism and images of teenage brand names waned after the fifth or so listen. Hercules and Love Affair is the brainchild of DJ Andy Butler. The cast of characters also includes vocalist Nomi, and everyone's favorite sad bastard Antony Hegarty. Signed to James Murphy's DFA label, Hercules effectively brings together every genre of modern dance you can think of. From late-80's house to Chicago stepper's cuts. Moroder disco to early 80's NYC club beats. It's all here, in a collection of songs where the vocals really take a back seat to the beats.
Stand out tracks include "This Is My Love" featuring Andy Butler on vocals and some fantastic horns that swirl in and around the beats in wild abandon. Current single, "Blind", is a cross between The Gossip's "Standing In The Way Of Control" and Donna Summer's "I Feel Love". Not a bad combination and sure to be a club hit. Hegarty and Nomi are at their best with a hypnotic back and forth vocal on "You Belong". What's missing most is Nomi's presence. She has a certain Neneh Cherry naivate in her voice that's quite attractive. "Easy" is a clumsy dirge that brings down the album's vibe, while "Raise Me Up" brings to mind the image of Hegard flailing his arms about in the vocal booth wearing a purple moomoo. What would Jimmy Somerville of Bronski Beat think?
Hercules and Love Affair isn't breaking any new ground here. Their debut evokes images of the NYC club scene of yesteryear while never sounding dated. Only half the album hits me with that perfect beat.
High Point
Nomi prooves her inner city vocal cool.
Low Point
Hegarty channeling his inner Sylvester.
Posted by Joe Roth on Jun 30, 2008 @ 6:55 am