CD Review: Magic Hour by Scissor Sisters

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Magic Hour – Scissor Sisters (photo by Neil Krug)

Review by Dagmar

In an interview promoting Duran Duran’s song “A View to a Kill,” singer Simon Le Bon described it as “a proper disco stomper.” The phrase is apt for that song, as well as so many of Scissor Sisters‘ songs.

With the release of Magic Hour, Scissor Sisters have now created four passionate, alarming and adventurous albums. Scissor Sisters do what they want. They’ve managed to release albums of individuality and integrity. They’ve produced all their own albums, with very little co-producing. Going back to their first release to the newest album, they’ve balanced lovely ballads, “Mary,” “Might Tell You to Tonight,” “Skin Tight,” “ Inevitable” with racy and gaspingly great disco stompers, “Tits on the Radio,” “Paul McCartney,” “Any Which Way” and “Let’s Have a Kiki.” The band will always take a chance with sounds and do something you do not expect. Lyrics can be touching, hilarious, sexy and they’re always smart.

Magic Hour contains the variety of songs you’d hope from Scissor Sisters. Whether you prefer the softer, romantic Scissor Sisters or the harder Scissor Sisters, there’s plenty to love on Magic Hour, such as laser beam sounds! “Baby Come Home,” catches attention with the lyrics it’s a half past quarter to three and “Keep Your Shoes On” has a happening clapping beat and fabulous vocals intoning shimmy shimmy cocoa puff/I can’t seem to get enough, while “Shady Love” prances with a sexy rap. The album also includes two extremely inspiring gentler songs, “Year of Living Dangerously” and “Best in Me,” each one delivered without one ounce of saccharine. “Only the Horses” and “Self Control” fit me just damn fine. “The Secret Life of Letters” again emphasizes singer Jake Shears’ strong vocals, while “Somewhere” is so stirring. “Fuck Yeah” is intricate and beautiful synth rap. Yet what might be just my favorite song on Magic Hour is the aforementioned “Let’s Have a Kiki.” The lyrics are disarmingly funny and the tune is spiritually overwhelming. It calls back to the brilliant Scissor Sisters classic “Monkey Baby.” Every hour listening to Scissor Sisters is magic hour.

Magic Hour hits stores May 29th. If you don’t trust me, see what Josh Homme has to say.

Photos: Opeth & Mastodon @ Showbox SoDo

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In a dream pairing, Mastodon and Opeth co-headlined Showbox SoDo on April 30th. Swedes Opeth have released ten albums since 1995, and on Opeth’s site lead singer Mikael Åkerfeldt reveals he has two cats, Isaac of York and Maurice De Bracy. Mastodon hits the festival circuit in Europe this summer. No one asked us to do this, but hey, this shirt is really awesome. That cover rocks. Enjoy some photographic beauties of Seattle’s show by Geoffrey Gribbin:


Opeth


Mastodon


Opeth


Mastodon


Opeth


Mastodon


Opeth


Mastodon

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Show Review & Photos: Rusko @ Showbox SoDo

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Rusko @ Showbox SoDo, 4/27
Review by Gabrielle Gribbin
Photos by Geoffrey Gribbin

The suspense from Skism increases as the lights still shine upon the crowd, eager to hear the bare footsteps of Rusko. Each one of us looks around, unsure of how we ended up next to this sweaty man, kandi-filled arms, and glow stick-covered fellow.

When the faces surrounding us seem to gradually become engulfed by darkness, cheers echo the wood paneled Showbox SoDo. Blinded momentarily by a pulse of light, quick, then illuminated are five letters R, U, S, K, O! Not a single body is still. We beg him to play, chanting his name, hoping it wills him to send our ears into his control for the next couple hours.


Rusko

Now, there he is, dirty blond hair bouncing as he greets us with open arms. His deejay set surrounds him, looking like a three-sided wrap-around piano. Each tap gains volume, each pressed button sets us off. He entices us with his pounding bass while the throng begins to lose its mind. Over and over again the thumping trance consumes them. I divert eyes elsewhere. The seizure-inducing purple, blue, and white lights catch my attention for a good two minutes until I remember where I had originally wanted my vision to go. Down. Down to the stage floor, below the flashing blows, under the DJ set, I look towards Rusko. Still down, lower, lower to his signature solely socked feet.

“The sun is shining everyday!” Yes, the sun is truly shining inside the venue. Virgin hands shielding eyes from the welcoming shine, which is synced to each song he plays. The sway and hammer like motion of bodies is a constant movement to each sequence of beats created. No, we do not ever think that the music would stop, because in this time, in these moments he is able to make us all forget. We have lived in the moment.


Rusko