(Carpark Records)

Mr. Deacon has been eating too many skittles

As the title of the album suggests, Spiderman Of The Rings is about interesting mixes. Web shooting heroes and effeminate elves? Not quite. Chipmunk vocals and keyboards like space lasers? Much closer. The album opens with the looped maniacal laugh of Woody Woodpecker and seldom lets up in this slice of persistently urgent candy-coated insanity. The album’s immense centerpiece, Wham City, is the masterful fusion of Deacon’s dense electronica and Danielson-esque Dr. Seuss choir chants. The listener’s only reprieve is Big Milk, a fragile xylophone piece that builds gorgeously. The crisp yet crushing keyboards fly around the erratic beeps and chimes in a chaotic and wonderful flurry. It all feels very much like the cast of Sesame Street hijacking Hot Chip. Deacon’s vision is refreshing, bursting with energy and infectiously fun. Deacon’s (very) brightly coloured electro-pop may be too sweet at times for some, but it will never bore.

MICHAEL PINCOTT

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*