On Deck - Cut Copy And My Obsession With Ellie Goulding's "Lights"

On Deck - Cut Copy and my obsession with Ellie Goulding's "Lights"

  School started two weeks ago, and I started a second job last week, so posting a new entry fell by the wayside. It's also been absolutely GORGEOUS out with record high temperatures in the Bay Area this week. The last thing I want to do is sit inside (anywhere) and type (about anything, including music). Alas, here we are in February, and it feels like summertime. Time for sunblasted days in the park, tank tops and tan lines, bike rides to barbecues, and sweaty dance parties.  Lucky thing Cut Copy is releasing their new record Zonoscope tomorrow. It's kinda perfect for these mild, fuzzed out California afternoons. Now before I go any further, I must admit I'm especially fond of this particular Aussie trio (now quartet). They exemplify, for me anyway, the picky balance between synths and guitars, dance and indie rock. Their last effort In Ghost Colours is the most enduring record in my collection in the last five years. It's perfect for the kid who was raised on guitars but always liked to dance. 

So I've been eagerly anticipating the release of new stuff from these guys, with slight apprehension knowing they couldn't (and shouldn't) make the same record twice. 

There are tracks that sound straight off the pop block, notably the first single "Take Me Over" with CC's trademark harmonies wistfully floating over lush synths and jungle-like percussions. I've never been to Australia, but when I hear this song I get the whole drive-to-the-outback to go hang out with the koalas - vibe. 

"Where I'm Going" sounds like a modern Beach Boys single, baked and mixed with ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down." It stands out from the rest of the record, with it's "yeah, yeah, yeah" chants and its chance to become Cut Copy's first real bonafide hit. The rest of the record is tailor made to get cute girls(and the rest of you) to dance. Songs start one way, and end another, with six minute tracks evolving from straightforward groovers to outright atmospheric dance epics. 

In fact, the last track "Sun God" lasts 15 glorious minutes, which at first seems laborious until you find yourself completely entranced and air drumming ten minutes in and it took you there, wherever that place may be.

All in all, it's Cut Copy, doing it big. Perhaps some tracks could of used some preening, but taking it as a sort of blissed out, groovy jam session, it's a win. Can't wait to finally see them live in April.

p.s. I am completely obsessed with Ellie Goulding's "Lights." The pop starlet from the UK has some heavy buzz, and I'm feeling it like I was feeling Florence this time last year. She plays the Rickshaw Stop April 14th for a whopping $13. Watch the original cut on the 'tube and afterward check out the Wired dubstep remix, and the Bay Area's own Bassnectar do it fabulous here.