Marsheaux:
Odyssey:
Les Disques Du Crepuscule:
Out 13th January:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Following on from Marnie's recent album Crystal World, the reborn Crepuscule imprint turns its attentions to more seductive electro disco, this time courtesy of Greek synth-duo Marsheaux or, more importantly, their extensive catalogue.
Little known in the UK but a tour-de-force in parts of Europe (including Greece), the pair have stuck to their guns by knocking out breathy club music that ranges from 2004's E-Bay Queen to 2014's brand new and exclusive track Full Attack, via a couple of rarities en route. Odyssey acts as an introduction as well as a summary.
Perhaps too delicate to have any serious effect on the British consciousness, Marsheaux's music reveals plenty of musical similarities to acts who have broken the mould over here in previous decades. Obvious comparisons include Goldfrapp, Ladytron (and Marnie), Chvrches, Pet Shop Boys, OMD (Andy McCluskey has expressed a 'soft spot' for the pair's music) and later Tegan and Sara recordings - hell, Dream Of a Disco reminds me of A Flock of Seagulls' Space Age Love Song (no really, go and listen - it's not as bad as it sounds).
Ultimately though, Marsheaux are Marsheaux through and through and there are some original belters on here, such as the hands-to-the-lazers exultation of Summer, the chilly atmospherics of Sorrow and the kitsch take on '70s instrumental smash Popcorn. OK it's not a patch on the charming original (most recently 'covered' by Aphex Twin) but it offers an alternative to all those hushed disco whispers on the majority of this album.
Odyssey is perhaps guilty of being a little samey in places and maybe excessive at 19 tracks but for the curious, Marsheaux's coordinated catwalk of well-tailored fashionable pop might well be worth investing in.
Odyssey:
Les Disques Du Crepuscule:
Out 13th January:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Little known in the UK but a tour-de-force in parts of Europe (including Greece), the pair have stuck to their guns by knocking out breathy club music that ranges from 2004's E-Bay Queen to 2014's brand new and exclusive track Full Attack, via a couple of rarities en route. Odyssey acts as an introduction as well as a summary.
Perhaps too delicate to have any serious effect on the British consciousness, Marsheaux's music reveals plenty of musical similarities to acts who have broken the mould over here in previous decades. Obvious comparisons include Goldfrapp, Ladytron (and Marnie), Chvrches, Pet Shop Boys, OMD (Andy McCluskey has expressed a 'soft spot' for the pair's music) and later Tegan and Sara recordings - hell, Dream Of a Disco reminds me of A Flock of Seagulls' Space Age Love Song (no really, go and listen - it's not as bad as it sounds).
Ultimately though, Marsheaux are Marsheaux through and through and there are some original belters on here, such as the hands-to-the-lazers exultation of Summer, the chilly atmospherics of Sorrow and the kitsch take on '70s instrumental smash Popcorn. OK it's not a patch on the charming original (most recently 'covered' by Aphex Twin) but it offers an alternative to all those hushed disco whispers on the majority of this album.
Odyssey is perhaps guilty of being a little samey in places and maybe excessive at 19 tracks but for the curious, Marsheaux's coordinated catwalk of well-tailored fashionable pop might well be worth investing in.