Search - Black Box Recorder :: Passionoia

Where are the lyrics?

12/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like REM, Black Box Recorder seem to have a tradition of not having the lyrics in their album inlays. I had to print the lyrics for their two previous albums off of the Internet, but I can't seem to find the full lyrics for this new album which is really a shame because lyrics are essential with this band. This is the only complaint I have, though. Passionoia is pretty similar to Black Box Recorder's previous album, The Facts Of Life, so if you enjoyed it you'll love this. As usual, the sharp writing team of Haines & Moore keep exploring the beauty of the United Kingdom with an ever-present edge of irony & observation. Here they focus on the country's obsession with the royal family, the death of Princess Diana & rich celebrities. "These Are The Things" was a clever choice for a first single & it's entirely our loss that it didn't get any exposure. "Andrew Ridgley" evokes sweet memories from the 1980's (even if you didn't like Wham!). Basically all of the songs are equally good so I don't wanna do a song by song review as the album is really short & sweet & I want my review to reflect that. Buy this if you like The Facts Of Life, Britpop or Britain in general."

I feel let down, but still want to get up and dance

chris. | Chicago, IL United States | 05/08/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For all those familiar with Black Box Recorder and the geniuses behind it (John Moore and Luke Haines), you'll already know that perhaps the maturity level behind the music is low (not obscene, just elementary, specifically songs like "Facts of Life"). The fact is, though, that the British band Black Box Recorder is so fun to listen to with sexed up electronics, vocals and instrumentation.I must say that I fell in love with the band with their second true LP, "The Facts of Life." Sarah Nixey's voice comes into the tracks as soft whispers, usually silently sexy, but on this release, many times her vocals are drown out by the back-up vocals, like in "GSOH Q.E.D." and "British Racing Green." This makes me sad. As kitchy, catchy and cute as the vocals are, they just aren't up to par.The first time I think the album could be getting better is in "British Racing Green" when we hear a majority of solo from Nixey with just a little bass going in the background, the topics once again dealing with British culture, rock 'n' roll and love (I think it could be safely said that these topics pretain to most of their songs)."Being Number One" starts with great, slightly dark electronics and seems to be one of those songs you really would get on the dance floor with. Here, we hear the use of back-up vocals ENHANCING what's already there, and thank god. I think at this point, you can safely assume that Black Box Recorder is good again (and thank god)."The New Diana" makes me want to classify Black Box Recorder as Eletroclash, the music movement of course dealing with image over musicianship, and I think we can see here that maybe Black Box Recorder is just that, this sexy band with a sexy lead singer and sexy subjects. "I want to be the new Diana / visiting the shore occasionally / lying on the yacht reading photo magazines," the song goes. Comparing Sarah Nixey to Princess Diana of course may raise some eyebrows, but when you listen to this... I guess you get the feel for the glamour of both Diana and Black Box.Perhaps the MOST FUN, SEXIEST song on the album is "Andrew Ridgley." "I was brought up to the sound of the synthesizer / I learned to dance to the sound of electronic drums" and other lyrics hinting to the roots of BBR redeams this album somehow. Maybe it's that... or that you really want to just move to this song. Damn catchy melody!Coming at a time when the electroclash movement is at its height in popularity with bands like Ladytron, W.I.T. and singular artists like Peaches, Felix Da Housecat and Miss Kittin already becoming well-known in the UK and across Europe, BBR delivers a more poppy, lo-fi version of what could become. The thing is, Black Box Recorder used to be magnificent. Here, I feel they're only good, overall. "England Made Me" and "The Facts of Life" were just such great albums, I think that this is stepping down a little, not stepping up, which is unfortunate.Still, this is a good album. Get "Facts of Life" first though... it's a brilliant album after a couple listens.Check out if fans of: Ladytron, Miss Kittin, W.I.T. (Whatever It Takes), Cat Power, Goldfrapp, Ida, Arab Strap, Belle & Sebastian, or maybe even Beth Orton..."

Goodbye eerie dream pop; hello Giorgio Moroder

Demetrius A. Armstrong | 05/15/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Passionoia" marks an abrupt change in style for this intelligent and seductive band. Whereas on the first two albums the mood was eerily dreamy; now they've made a first-rate disco album. It's sort of a theme album (just as "England Made Me" dealt mainly with British middle-class anomie, and "The Facts of Life" was a teen sex/romance album), with most of the material dealing with the various aspects of fame. Nixey has never sounded better; her raps here are more assured than on the last record. The beats are very good and you will want to dance. A few of their parodic targets are too easy - especially "Andrew Ridgely" (from Wham! - remember?). But more often they are right on and very witty, with takes on Lady Di wanna-bes, supermodels (I think Naomi Campbell in particular) and the fame driven girl on "Being No. 1". Best of all: GSOH Q.E.D. (good sense of humor/quod erat demonstrandum), a delectable dance song in which Nixey raps her way through an increasingly pathetic list of personal ads. Perhaps their best. I hope they get the domestic release."