NME 16 Sept 2000
reviewed by Victoria Segal
SINGLE OF THE WEEK:
Blonde Redhead Melodie Citronique EP
(Touch And Go)
It's
beyond language, of course. A Japanese singer and Italian twins play
French songs in New York - it would have to be, really. Yet although
It would certainly be in keeping with Blonde Redhead's art abstractions
to leave a blank space in tribute to this record, those of us less prone
to wordless transcendence would like the opportunity to say, "What
the hell was that?"
For all their reputation as Sonic Youth's more humourless
offspring - and God, that's really working hard at not smiling - the
first track here makes you wonder if they've missed an 'I' out of their
first name. 'En Particulier' (the French version of 'in Particular'
from their last album, 'Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons') is nothing
less than cubist Blondie, Kazu Makino lullabying through a glass-hearted
rapture that's almost, almost, like pop. This is followed by the Italian
version of the any-storm-in-a -port 'Hated Because Of Great Qualities',
a gauzy, unsettling flutter through Serge Gainsbourg's 'Slogan', and
a music-box remix of 'For The Damaged'. All excellent, all as clear
as mud. Yet through all the scrambled syntax, the encrypted emotions,
they're always discussing the possibilities, and most preciously, reminding
you what they are.
So go on, go mad. Namecheck Pasolini. Speak five languages. Title a
song called 'Four Damaged Lemons'. And remember, it's only pretentious
it it doesn't work.
