Xiu Xiu
Fabulous Muscles

Release Date: 2004 | Tracklist

The emotion and the power, two elements in Xiu Xiu’s music that I find myself infatuated with. The emotion, is alive in all the sounds of lead singer Jamie Stewart’s voice, his lyrics and delivery, and the depression and anger he puts in to every single song. There is also a sense of power, a power in the music and in the soul[lessness] of everything. Fabulous Muscles is arguably Xiu Xiu’s best album, but also their most poppy, a combination not seen very much nowadays. While Xiu Xiu is still a raw mix of electronica and punk, the catch and desire of FM’s songs can not be denied. The front cover is designed in blue and yellow and depicts a sad man rubbing a fake animal against his skin. The cover, from first glance, is almost laughable, but when one takes a closer look he sees how sad it actually is. The album deal with a lot of self questioning through dominance, sexually and politically. Xiu Xiu is a very political band, getting their opinions across in oddly sadistic manners. Support Our Troops OH! Is the most political song on the album, expressing views of war as well as high school clicks through spoken word. The breaks in the vocal speak just as much as any lyrics could, alive with the sound of a dying violin, screaming trumpets and choking guitars. Unfortunately, the most controversial lyrics come, not from the political songs, but from the heart breaking sexual ones. First in Fabulous muscles, a graphic tale of a gay man who meets a straight partner for oral sex, but nothing else. Jamie (the gay man) mumbles about his desire to have a more loving relationship with the man, rather than just with his “Fabulous Muscle”. The second, a story of Jamie’s favorite pre-school child, from the singer’s teaching years. The lyrics tell of Jamie’s wishes for the child’s safety as he watches the child’s older brother molest him.

Jamie’s voice is much like that of Paul Banks (of Interpol). It is a tad to high to gain comparison to Ian Curtis’ (of Joy Division) low moan. The point in which his voice shines most however, is when it breaks out of this growing cliché. Songs like the brilliant I Love the Valley OH! Show Jamie’s voice as its own entity, raw and sarcastic as well as deep and moving. When a voice like Jamie’s is paired with electronic drums and bombastic guitars like ILTVO! It is something truly special. On the other side of things the electronic jazz scapes and string quartet of Clowne Towne show another side of the band. Though the music appears fairly uplifting, a first for the album, the lyrics tell a different tale, as they are full of nasty names and call-outs, as well as dark comments on family. Another striking moment of brilliance from this album comes from dark album opener, Crank Heart, a fiery electronica tune set to a pounding drum beat. The songs blend of synthesizer wizardry should be an influence to all electronic musicians. Synth player Caralee McElroy weaves every thing from synth string ensembles to sharp, raw lead lines and fun ambience into a massive sound without the use of guitar or bass. All the while Jamie repeats the lines, lighting it up
you were so cool
her school colors
Black and light black.


Xiu Xiu’s blend of electronica and intense indie rock brings very profuse images across the brain. If I had to use one image to describe the album it would this: A robot, sitting in a room, listening to heavy punk music and cutting his wrists, so that his cold life forsaken oil spills from a deep gash in his metal appendages. The image is a weird one, but the album is just as weird. It incorporates everything from soft beats and acoustic guitars to sharp sonic squeals and distorted vocals. If there was ever an album to show all of Xiu Xiu’s craziness while remaining (sorta) accessible it would have to be Fabulous Muscles. Clowne Town and I love the Valley OH! Are must downloads.

- Joe

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3.9 excellent

Rank: #172 for 2004