Marc Almond - Tasmanian Tiger EP

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 27 / 2 / 2014

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Review

I read in a recent interview (‘Classic Pop’, Feb/Mar 2014) that Marc Almond has some regrets about the Soft Cell debut album, ‘Non Stop Erotic Cabaret’. "It's a bit rushed," he is quoted as saying. "We tried to sound too deliberate and considered, though I'm proud of the songs." I let out a long sigh of relief. Their version of 'Tainted Love' is rightly considered a definitive song and video of the decade. But the delivery of 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' drives me to distraction. Where he aims for impassioned and heartfelt delivery, he sounds too breathless and then lacks the power to really deliver with conviction. Reassured by Almond’s honest appraisal of both himself and his work in the interview I happily settled down to listen to his latest offering, a very eclectic 4 track EP. The title track shimmies out of the gate with all the sparkle you would expect of the Grand Dame of electronic waspish pop. As a Tasmanian tiger, Almond sees himself as a lonely and endangered species, the last of his kind and fearing he will be forgotten. Is he reflecting on his own mortality, the passing of time, those he has lost or just being fabulously self-important? It doesn't really matter, Few could get away with the song, but of course Almond does. So join the can can chorus line and play it loud and proud. The modestly titled 'Worship Me Now' was penned by Jarvis Cocker and appeared unexpectedly in Almond’s inbox one day. It takes the self-adulation to an almost God-like level. It is dirty and has a wonderfully grubby underbelly. 'Love is Not On Trial' encapsulates some wonderfully barbed reflections on matters of the heart. The song is slow and very deliberate. The relish with which Almond wraps his wicked tongue around the lyrics is the guiltiest of pleasures. 'Death of a Dandy' throws a guitar riff into the mix before morphing into beautifully bittersweet reflection on death behind the glittering facade. Exciting, energetic and accomplished, this should please his regular fans and gain new ones.

Track Listing:-

1 Tasmanian Tiger
2 Worship Me Now
3 Love Is Not on Trial
4 Death of a Dandy

Band Links:-

http://www.marcalmond.co.uk/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/MarcAlmondO
https://twitter.com/MarcAlmond

Label Links:-

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/CherryRedReco
https://twitter.com/cherryredgroup
https://www.youtube.com/CherryRedRecor