Scissor Sisters – Night Work

Here’s another contribution from our friend Richard! Read up on his review of Scissor Sisters’ latest release, Night Work.

If disco was making a comeback, Scissor Sisters would be leading the charge. But since it won’t be resurrecting anytime soon (to mine and many others’ dismay), these glam rock poppers fit perfectly into the small cult following they’ve built in the US since their debut in 2001. Don’t be fooled; although the band hasn’t caught up with us American scum, they have faired major success in the UK, Australia and Canada (basically everywhere but the States).

Their third and latest album, Night Work, emerges as the band’s most epic work to date. The lyrics are deeper, the vocals are top notch, the disco rhythms thump harder and co-front man Jim Shears’ pants are tighter.

The interesting thing about the record (which took a year to make after a previous attempt at a third album was shelved in May 2009) is that it boasts a disco ball of different sounds. And although there is much variation and emphasis on the vocals, the feel is still 120 percent vintage 70’s gold.

The saucy combination of Shears and lone female member Ana Matronic keeps Night Work surprisingly addicting and interesting. You could be listening to one track where Matronic is singing in her awesome early-Madonna-meets-Debbie-Harry voice and the next track you’ll hear Shears’ high-pitched shrill, reminiscent of Styx front man James Young, one of the Gibbs and Sir Elton. In one of the album’s really fun listens, “Whole New Way” features Shears sounding  like Prince. To make it even better, the duo teams up for “Harder You Get” and “Nightlife.” She’ll sing a line, then he will, then they’ll sing one together, showcasing a rare complement to each others’ somewhat antique pipes.

The music has always displayed the talent of this band, but it gets better in this outing. Lead guitarist Del Marquis and all-around mastermind Babydaddy are on point big time. The two don’t necessarily stray away from generic effects and melodies on the electric guitar. It’s pretty technical as far as the axe goes. The real magic is with every other instrument. Speedy, simple bass to go with the repetitive percussion (which by the way are on the brink of becoming trance music) mixed with a lot of different synth sounds keep the music original yet traditional with its disco roots.

The sexually suggestive lyrics are perfect with the band’s identity. As the chief lyricist, Babydaddy composed some pretty catchy, raunchy lines. For instance – there is a million ways to skin this cat, let me show you- on “Skin This Cat” and the monologue Matronic voices on “Any Which Way” – You know baby/When I was taking my pantyhose out of their egg this evening/I thought: I’m going to find that man that is the right shade of bottle tan/A man that smells like cocoa butter and cash/Take me anyway you like it/In front of the fireplace/In front of your yacht/In front of my parents/I don’t give a damn baby, just take me

The Scissor Sisters aren’t from this time. I hope I get to meet the person who gave them a time machine because I would like to thank him/her for unleashing this hot mess of a group nine years ago. Night Work is definitely some of the most unique art I’ve heard so far this year and I recommend for something different.

Buy the album at our record store on Amazon

If you like all things Scissor Sisters, check out these other artists that have been featured on our site:

• Karen Rockower – The Rockower Show and a review of her album, Whales Standing
• She & Him – Artist of the Week, Covers Revue and reviews of their albums, Volume 1 and Volume 2
• Lucy Schwartz – Lucy Schwartz shows (one and two), Artist of the Week, Catching Up With … (We’re obsessed!)
• Sia – Review of her album We Are Born and her appearance as Artist of the Week
• The Bird and the Bee – Appearance on Artist of the Week, and two album reviews (One and Two)