Album Details

• Artist: Kudu
• Album: Death Of The Party
• Label: Nublu
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2008-03-25

Singer Sylvia Gordon has a dramatic, slightly new wave delivery, which gives a kind of snarky passion to these slightly-more-than-techno-but-not-really tunes. Usually if a review of a record features a lot of references to other bands, it is either the fault of a lazy writer or the fact that the band in question is more memorable for who the cop from than in their own ideas. While Kudu are no Lenny Kravitz, whose appropriations are drinking game worthy, "Death of The Party" manage to both annoy and hit the occasional mark.

The problem is that while quoting 80's synth-pop and Banshees-esque goth, tracks like "Love Me in Your Langauge" and Playing House" have all the hip and the hype in place, but don't bring it off. The music behind Gordon is too often obvious and un-groovy, and even on the more heavy "Leave Me Alone" or Physical World" read more like blueprints for tributes rather than explorations of a personal sound.

You can dance to them, and if you are of a certain age, can either use "Death of the Party" to inspire you to hit You Tube for childhood faves or as grist for your own mash-ups. Otherwise, let's hope Sylvia Gordon improves her musical chops or finds someone to push her higher.

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