Artist: Electric Six
Album: Fire
Dick Valentine - Vocals
M. Cougar Mellencamp - Drums
Rock & Roll Indian - Guitar
Dr. Blacklip Hoffman - Keyboards
Frank Lloyd Bonnaventure - Bass
Surge Joebot - Guitar
Released: 2003 (Beggars XL)
Electric Six have been known under various names for the greater part of a decade. Originaly 'The Wildbunch' in 1996 they changed their name in 2000. The band originates from Detroit and built up a local reputation there for high energy pop/disco/new wave rock.
'Fire' is a collection of some very strong songs and some mediocre songs. All the songs are filled with high energy and they all have a unique sound. Dick's vocals are very unique and don't really sound like anyone elses.
The album kicks off with 'Dance Commander'. It's one the albums best songs. It's filled with energy and has a great chorus. It explodes into the chorus where Dick sings "It would be awesome if we could dance, It would be awesome let's take the chance". Then it's into 'Electric Demons In Love'. The song starts with some distorded power chords then moves into the verse. Dicks singing is a great part of this song. The song doesn't quite have the same effect as the previous song but it's not bad. Just average. 'Naked Pictures (Of Your Mother)' is one of the best songs on the album. The verses are packed with energy and Dicks singing is great. The chorus is the catchiest so far and the lyrics are cool. There's also a cool guitar solo in the song.
You can probably tell from the song titles in the tracklist and previous paragraph these lyrics aren't deep meaningfull lyrics. They are just fun and catchy. This album isn't endevouring to be a masterpiece of musicianship or lyrics it's plain old good fun.
The hit single 'Danger! High Voltage' is next and I really shouldn't have to say to much about this song. It has a great video and the chorus is great and the song is filled with energy. The female vocals make it interesting and it's another great song. The great songs keep coming with the next highlight 'She's White'. It starts off with drums and bass before a pickslide and the guitars kick in. The verses are awesome and Dicks singing is great. The chorus is probably the best on the album "She's white, she's so white. I was born to excite her, she could never be whiter". The song is an absolute standout. Unfortunetely this is about where the best songs end. The rest are decent with a few very mediocre ones. 'I Invented The Night' is a bit of a slower song and the chorus isn't as fast paced as the rest of the album. It lacks in the fact that Dick just doesn't do anything interesting with the vocals.
The seventh song 'Improper Dancing' is another average song. The verses are interesting but the chorus doesn't do anything to make the song that great. Still it's an improvement over the previous song. 'Gay Bar' is the last standout song. It's the second hit from these guys and another song you should know. Builds up with a cool guitar riff and the verses are full on. "You! I wanna take you to a gay bar" sings Dick and the song is great. The energy is full on and the chorus is great and it has a notable guitar solo. The way it dies out then starts again is great aswell. 'Nuclear War (On The Dancefloor)' is a quick 1 minute and 16 second blitz. It's a fun song but not really anything special. Sounds alot like 'Gay Bar' but lacks the same feel.
Song 10 'Getting Into The Jam' is ok. Starts off a bit weak but the chorus isn't half bad. There's alot of energy again but the verses are what lets the song down. They just don't have anything to make them special. 'Venegeance And Fashion' is a bit better. The verse is packed with energy and the lyrics are fun. Dicks voice is great and it's a better song than the previous two. The twelth track 'I'm The Bomb' is a softer more melodic track. Dicks singing is the most melodic on the album and unlike 'I Invented The Night' the band manage to pull off this slow song and make it a good song to have near the end. Finally 'Synthesizer' kicks in and it's the end of the album. Unfortunetely it sounds like an almost copy of the last track. Again it's melodic but it's not as good as the previous song. The guitar in the verses of this song is cool and the chorus is pretty good.
Overall the album is packed with energy. There are some great songs 'Naked Pictures, Danger! High Voltage, She's White' on the album and placed out as an e.p those songs would make a fantastic ep. The weaker tracks let the album down but there's no songs on this album you will always reach for the skip button for. Fun and catchy is the best way to describe this album. There's some cool guitar work and the vocals are great.
Rating: 3.5/5 :)
