Scooby Scooby Mottnik
Kim Fletcher | Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand | 11/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Way back in 1986 were born a group with wild haircuts, attitude, claims of world domination, and hyped with slogans as "it's easier to teach someone to play drums than to be thin", "the music is merely a soundtrack to the video". Yes, Sigue Sigue Sputnik wanted it all and did not care how they got there. Signing for EMI for 4 Million Pounds, front page headlines in the Sunday Times even before a song had been released. A Rollercoaster that would not stop, or so they thought. Well, after the much hyped first single "Love Missile F1-11" shot to No1 in 15 countries, a Top 10 follow up single, a sell-out European tour, and Platinum selling album "Flaunt It" (that actually had adverts in between the tracks), things started to go rather quiet for Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The press backlash began and for the first time the Sputniks were no longer in total control of their own destiny and the brave decision to manage, write all their own songs, and control all their own marketing and press releases looked liked being the wrong one. Unrest at EMI and poor marketing of the second album "Dress For Excess" and subsequent singles in 1989 resulted in Sputnik being kicked into touch (despite actually out-selling more than 1 million records) and to be never seen again.WRONG!! Sputnik just went into hibernation and waited for the public to catch up. "A band 10 years ahead of their time." That time is now. For the last 2 years Sputnik have formed their own label, toured all over Europe, and released a stunning album "Piratespace", and sold merchandise via the Internet. "Something this great will never lay down and die" claims Tony James, band leader.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik have proved the critics wrong, they can actually play, and in fact play very well. "Piratespace", the comeback album, was full of hardcore techno Rock `n' Roll that only Sputnik can play. However it did see Sputnik moving into new directions with songs like "Alien@tion", a dreamy classical techno rock ballad that would of fitted perfectly into any James Bond movie soundtrack. Slave Trade with its Mark Bolan guitar licks and The Prodigy backing track mixed in dub and littered with movie samples from movies such as the Matrix.Sputnik always seemed to be playing well below themselves, claiming that it wasn't about music for them. But their influences have always been the greats. Bowie, Bolan, James Williamson, Bryan Gregory, and now Sputnik are all about music albeit still marketing themselves in ways that no other band could possibly dream of. The new album "Blak Elvis vs The Kings of Electronic Rock And Roll" is an Album of not so much covers of Elvis tracks, but how Sputnik feel the music should of sounded then and in the future. Sputnik still have a head full of glam, but with roots firmly in the future dreaming of what Rock `n' Roll will sound like in the year 2050 and trying to create that now. Bold indeed but fun all the same. This is Sputniks Tribute to Elvis. The songs have been completely re-hashed even as far as changing the titles. "Always on my Mind" in the new millennium is now "Always on my Mindwarp". Vocals in dub are ripped up with Stun Guitar Movie samples and Driving Space Bass (A Roland G 707 Synth Bass). The album also sees a new song entitled "King of Rock n Roll", Sputnik's tribute to the King, which is a glam rock masterpiece. "I'm the King of Rock `n' Roll and I la lalaaa like it". However, the two highlights for me are "Hound Dogg" and "Burning Luv". Maybe Elvis would of sounded like this in the future or maybe not, but I'm sure Elvis - if alive - would be shaking his Blue Suede shoes!! Overall the album is all very much the same but entertaining, innovative, and certainly different. Personally I think this album has been released for the band's benefit, as I question who the target audience might be. Elvis fans may buy out of curiosity (and they should). Although the press release claims that this album is a back to its roots Sputnik record, I see very few similarities to the Sputnik's early material with its driving Giorgio Moroda Donna Summer bass line and therefore it maybe a slight disappointment for hardcore Sputnik fans. However, it is actually a very good album and well worthwhile addition to your CD collection. In conclusion: Sputnik have been through it all, superstar status and in the gutter and dreams shattered. Maybe those dreams were just visions of the future and that future is now. Sputnik are back!! Welcome back. It's what the music industry needs right now, a band totally in control of their own destiny, not prepared to conform. As the Sputniks preach."History will prove us right." Well, it may just do that Mr James and Co. Elvis will probably be shaking in his Grave!! Check out the Sputnik story at [their website]
Mott The Dog"
Roll Over Elvis...
rdwos | Lansing, Michigan United States | 11/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow! After meandering around for most of a decade, the men from Sputnik are back to what they do best - beautifully deconstructing rock'n'roll. I really didn't know what to expect from Blak Elvis and it blew me away, I've been playing it over and over. Anyone who loved the early Sputnik should waste no time in getting Blak Elvis."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
