Polydor (label)
28 June 2010 (released)
03 July 2010
Scissor Sisters are back with their third (or should that be fourth) album. The original follow-up to 'Ta-Dah' was completely scrapped. Scissor Sisters didn't like the finished product so started again, enlisting the help of producer Stuart Price who had previously worked with Madonna and The Killers.
The end result is a bit of a one trick pony - camp 80's disco for the 21st Century, but what Scissors Sisters do is do this well. The 12 tracks on here hardly pause for breath with one glitter ball track after another, with not a 'Laura' in sight.
This is not a major criticism as after all the girls and boys made their fame with tracks like 'Take Your Mama Out' and 'I Don't Feel like Dancing' so camp disco is their forte.
So back to 'Night Works'; it's very sexy, at times provocative and above all it is great fun. Closing track 'Invisible Light' was unveiled on their website earlier this year, and is definitely one of the key tracks on here; it's a long brooding disco number with some eerie effects as well as a hands in the air disco moments. After this, current single 'Fire With Fire' is the next true stand-out track. A slow burning Elton John styled intro builds to a wonderful crescendo chorus - bliss.
Elsewhere, 'Skin This Cat' has a smooth feel with vocals that sound like Kylie; after their Glasto appearance I had to check the collaboration was not deeper. 'Any which way' is the campest track you'll hear this year with a very 70's disco feel. 'Running Out' has a more early 80's electro feel - sort of like Classix Noveaux.
'Skin Tight' is a more contemporary sound - very electro pop and catchy - future single? 'Night Life' is a frantic skitty pop tune with a driving chorus.
To be honest every one of these 12 tracks is a real toe-tapping disco pop tune. As mentioned at the start perhaps too similar at times; they could do with more variety and pace, but what is here is great quality.
Well worth the wait overall.
