Search - Har Mar Superstar :: Dark Touches

"Dark Touches" is a Strong Return

Jeff Simmons | San Diego, CA | 11/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been five long years since Har Mar Superstar graced us with his last album, so let's not waste any time getting to the goods:



A Track-by-Track Analysis:



1.) INTRO: An eight-second accapella bit that has something to do with a "duchess," "crutches" and "dark touches." Make no mistake: You're now firmly in Har Mar country.



2.) SUNSHINE: A full-on throwback to R&B disco of the 1970s. The soaring synths are so joyful, you, too, will want to dry your eyes and take Har Mar's hand as "the sun is shining down."



3.) I GOT NEXT: Cribbing the unmistakable drum beat from Bel Biv DeVoe's "Poison," Har Mar and collaborators Boom Bip & Inara George defy you not to dance to this tale of a lothario who has designs on another man's women ... but in the most honorable way. He merely wants the object of his lust to sign a contract that assures him of first dibs should said lady and her current shady lover ever break up. Oh, and he also wants to "taste your applesauce."



4.) TALL BOY: Originally written for Britney Spears, Har Mar has decided to leave the song's decadent lyrics and female perspective alone. As he recently stated in an interview, it's basically about drinking giant beers and having sex with giant dudes. Once in your head, the electric beats, propulsive melodies, and outrageous double-entendres will not leave anytime soon! It's the album's masterpiece! (And be sure to check out the video with Eva Mendes, Alia Shawkat, Eric Wareheim & tons of gorgeous ladies.)



5.) TURN IT AROUND: A Justin-Timberlake-esque number about love on the rocks. Facing the end of a cherished relationship, Har Mar looks within himself to see if he can salvage things.



6.) GAME NIGHT: Har Mar & band have been opening their sets with this rhythm-heavy face-melter. At first, I really didn't know how to take this song, but after repeated listens, it makes total sense. It combines Har Mar's love of games and rap, and features fun guest verses by two of Har Mar's buddies: POS & Adam Green.



7.) GANGSTERS WANT TO CUDDLE ME: The album's second song written with rapper POS ("Game Night's" beats were his as well.) As Har Mar croons about his uncanny ability to win over even the biggest thugs, the martial, lopsided beats and horns give this track a serious retro vibe that would not have been out of place on Har Mar's eponymous Kill Rock Stars debut.



8.) CREATIVE JUICES: The opening sentences pretty much sum up the verbal game play at work throughout this number. "Har Mar Superstar raging on your mix. You can have a go if you think you're Grace Slick Rick James Gang of Four Non Blonde Redhead." One popular culture reference crashes into another, as "The Faint's" Clark Baechle & Jacob Thiele provide the beats and blips. Undeniable fun.



9.) DON'T ASK DON'T TELL: Written with "Cornbread" Compton & Josiah Steinbrick of "Flowers of Doom," this song is layered and amazingly catchy. The instrumentation struts about as Har Mar encourages his lover to be promiscuous -- as long as neither partner ever has to discuss the dirty details. "Oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhh. Uh-oh."



10.) DOPE, MAN: Actress Saimaire Armstrong provides the female vocals in this song about a pot dealer who struggles to keep business & pleasure completely separate. The call & response, he-she vocals tell the tale of a blue-collar peddler being taking advantage of by his sexy, chicken-head customer. The jaunty music could have only been inspired by The Jackson Five.



11.) GIRLS ONLY: Disney's Cheetah Girls passed on this "girl power" anthem written with John Fields -- probably after seeing numerous naked pictures of Har Mar on the internet. As with "Tall Boy, Har Mar decided to keep the song for himself as-is. Awesomely, he sings about cute fingernails, pillow fights, and having the ultimate ladies night. Amazingly, it doesn't even really seem all that strange. The "Power Lunch" maestro clearly has no problem navigating his way around a sexy slumber party.



12.) ALMOND JOY: Har Mar and Producer John Fields crafted this upbeat celebration of the "male counterpart to the camel toe." Sex and candy, indeed!



13.) TURN THE KEY: Marijuana, psilocybin & underage underwear models figure prominently in this club thumper. More decadent party magic from the Flowers of Doom gents. "The dance floors, they burn!"

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