Ballet - Matchy Matchy
by Tommy Gunnarsson
published: 27 / 11 / 2019

Label:
Fika Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Enjoyable but flawed fourth album from New York duo The Ballet whih draws but does not match comparisons with the Magnetic Fields
I can honestly say that I have totally missed out on The Ballet until now, which is a bit strange, as they have been compared to one of my all-time favourite bands, the Magnetic Fields, ever since their first self-released album came out in 2006. But better late than never, right? ‘Matchy Matchy’ is the duo’s fourth album, their first since ‘I Blame Society’, which came out in 2013, and when listening to the opening track ‘Looking’ I understood the comparisons to Stephin Merritt’s iconic pop orchestra immediately. The label also namechecks Hidden Cameras and Swedish indie crooner Jens Lekman in the press release, and they’re not that far off really. Greg Goldberg and Craig Willse creates (often) catchy pop tunes with lyrics (often) about the queer community in one way or another, which is something that definitely can be said about the aforementioned Hidden Cameras. And even though I like this album, with some of my favourite songs being ‘Looking’ and ‘First Time in a Gay Bar’ (which made me think of the brilliant Don Lennon, who released his third album ‘Downtown’ on Secretly Canadian in 2001, an album which is now mysteriously erased from the label’s catalogue), I can’t help but miss the melodic genious that is Mr Merritt. I know, I know. It’s not fair to continue making these comparisons, which I bet The Ballet is sick and tired of by now, but they’re making it really hard to avoid it when they name a song ‘Your Boyfriend’, a song that sounds quite a bit like ‘I Thought You Were My Boyfriend’ by… yup, you guessed it… the Magnetic Fields. Well, maybe ‘Matchy matchy’ is a grower, so I will keep playing it for a while longer…
Track Listing:-
1 Looking2 Jersey
3 But I'm a Top
4 I've Been Wondering
5 Love Letter
6 Your Boyfriend
7 20
8 Messing Around
9 Cry Baby
10 First Time in a Gay Bar
11 Am I Dreaming
12 You're Mine
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/theballetnyc/http://www.thepirateship.org/
https://twitter.com/theballetnyc
Label Links:-
http://fikarecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/fikarecordings
https://twitter.com/fikarecordings
http://www.last.fm/label/Fika+Recordings
https://www.youtube.com/user/fikarecordings
Have a Listen:-
live reviews |
Glad Café, Glasgow, 30/7/2013 |
![]() |
Despite having enjoyed their recent album 'We Blame Society', Andy Cassidy finds New York electronic act the Ballet to be a poor live experience at a gig at the Glad Café in Glasgow |
reviews |
Daddy Issues (2023) |
![]() |
Danceable synth-pop, indie pop and decadent themes on self-described New York 'gay nerd band' duo The Ballet |
I Blame Society (2013) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCartyPeter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Vapors - Interview
Loft - Interview
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
Leon Bridges - Leon
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart