Sobby

2008 MUSIC HIGHLIGHT

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Many alternative dance acts have favoured elements of punk and funk-electro in their modern interpretation of dance music but Hercules & Love Affair is a real curve-ball. The polarising Pitchforkmedia have hailed their self-titled debut, the most original American dance album in a long while. My prefered music webzine, PopMatters, called Tim Goldsworthy’s and Andy Bulter’s creation mildy revolutionary. Straight out of the hippest cutting room floor in music, DFA Records, this album challenges every taboo in modern dance: The bass and percussion are prominent and funky throughout, recalling the beats of early chicago house music, and the horns and keyboards are brought to the forefront to play lead-lines, with synths taking on a secondary role. Some may call it cheesy, I like to think of it more as slick. The biggest dance urge you’ll probably get from this is a classic two-step or a head-bop but don’t shy-away because like the best of chicago house, it makes for a great strut. Hercules & Love Affair is also a real collaborative effort featuring the vocal talents of Antony (of Antony & the Johnsons) on five tracks, and Tim Goldsworthy, who’s doing real wonders this year, as co-producer. Along with the brilliant Sound Of Silver last year, DFA have proven they can take dance music to new heights yet again. Standouts include: “Time Will”, “Blind”, “You Belong”, and “Iris”.