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Goldfrapp
An artists third album is usually the one that defines their career, or lack thereof. While a second album is critical in displaying a bands diversity and ability to continually deliver compelling material, the third album is where a band usually defines itself. Goldfrapps first album, Felt Mountain, was an exciting and promising debut release, layering cool sensuality over a diversity of styles. Alison Goldfrapp had an image and vocal sound that was strong and compelling, suggesting that she could do whatever she wanted. The instrumental backing provided by Will Gregory was just offbeat enough to support her strange blend of dancefloor electronica and introspective folk. Their second album, Black Cherry, lacked the diversity of the first album, relying a bit too heavily on the icy allure of Goldfrapps sexuality.
If youre familiar with this band up to this point, then I guess you half-expected an album like Supernature. You can only make a first impression once, so instead of relying on the diversity of the first album, Goldfrapp and Gregory choose to exacerbate the moods and styles of Black Cherry. The results are interesting in fits and starts, but the one-dimensional approach wears thin over eleven tracks. The album starts off with their truly excellent (and incredibly derivative) single, Ooh La La, which sounds liked a sexed up version of Norman Greenbaums 1971 hit, Spirit In the Sky. Unfortunately, the intriguing vibe vanishes on the somewhat pedestrian sounding Lovely 2 C U. From there, flashes of Europop hold the album together like pieces of sticky tape and glue, but after a few listens, it sometimes slips away into the ether. Songs like Slide In and Satin Chic are the aural equivalent of smoke and mirrors, suggesting the eroticism of Kate Bushs work, less the complexity.
By the third album, it becomes clear whether or not a band has a unique voice and a vision to sustain them. On Supernature, Goldfrapp seems a bit more derivative than the debut or its follow-up suggested – Eurythmics meet the Divinyls at a party thrown by Portishead. It can still be a fun and/or moody listen, but its hard to imagine that well be hearing from them five years on.
Grade: 
 
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