Goldfrapp is the collaboration between Will Gregory and singer Alison
Goldfrapp. It is clearly in the post-Portishead vein of electronica
influenced torch-songs. The music constructed by Gregory is a sonic
tapestry of 70s soundtrack music, full of lush orchestration,
harpischords, and cheesy sci-fi effects, along with trip-hop beats
and
the occasional guitar squall. Goldfrapp's voice is rich and
velvetly;
it reminds me of the burnished singing of Judy Garland crossed with
the brassiness of Shirley Bassey. The songs are mostly slow to
midtempo, with a dark undercurrent seething underneath. Goldfrapp's
lyrics explore the vagaries of desire and longing with idiosyncratic
imagery, mixing offbeat cinematic references with lounge-era terms of
endearment; it mines similar territory that Julee Cruise and David
Lynch mapped out with their Twin Peaks-era work. Two St.
Etienne-like
pieces appear in the middle of the album, idyllic pop songs with
retro-Wurlitzers and moogs, and lovely wordless singing. Felt
Mountain is perfect late night make-out music for the malcontent.
--Craig