published: 11 /
11 /
2009
Label:
N5md
Format: CD
Catchy, but self-mocking disco rock on versatile fifth album from Italian group, Port-Royal
Review
A bunch of jokers from Genoa invented this n5MD variation of a flu virus and it's really a funny one. You don't get infected and you won't feel ill but you'll have Port-Royal under your skin for a long time.
Science announced electronica, glitch and clicks_+_cuts dead back in 2002 but at the time in the land of melody, Italy, italo disco actually passed away. Luckily the cheeky and the cheap have refound their common purpose this year in chic, and, in its purest form of disco, pop rises from the ashes. Port-Royal expands from italo disco to electronica and new rave, often on the same track; like on 'Anna Ustinova', a fierily hammering piece of psychotic dance music.
'Exhausted Muse/Europe' even better portrays such a complex background; banging rhythms kick off first, to be followed by dreamlike vocals halfway when the mood changes to vaguely 1980's new wave dance pop. Even more euphoric sounds on 'Susy; Blue East Fading' and, next, 'The Photoshopped Prince' hint at how we're dealing here with four great pretenders whose stunning ease of producing catchy tunes goes under the guise of artsy fartsy electronica where it shouldn't.
Port-Royal name their catchiest tune after the 'Balding Generation' and this is evidence of their self-mockery I guess; entirely capable of churning out whatever people like to hear on the dancefloor, Port-Royal hold on to the trump-card and use it well. 'Hermitage Pts 1, 2 and 3' show the face of a foursome that combines electronica and math-rock, and which dares to shrink to a house duo or a lounge trio by choice.
Track Listing:-
1
HVA (Failed Revolutions)
2
Nights In Kiev
3
Anna Ustinova
4
Exhausted Muse/Europe
5
I Used To Be Sad
6
Susy: Blue East Fading
7
The Photoshopped Prince
8
Balding Generation (Losing Hair As We Lose Hope)
9
Hermitage Pt. 1
10
Hermitage Pt. 2
11
Hermitage Pt. 3