Filthy. Provocative. Funny. Brazen. Any of those words might be apt when describing Peaches. Her records have been part of the syllabus in Gender Studies departments, she appeared on the cover of her second album sporting a beard, and has been responsible for such subtly suggestive songs as ‘Suck and Let Go’, ‘Tent in Your Pants’ and ‘Fuck the Pain Away’. Given that, it’s a bit of a surprise to find at times, on her fourth album—the sublimely titled I Feel Cream—the cocksure Canadian electroclash artist sounds a bit out of sorts.
The album’s opener ‘Serpentine’ is foul-mouthed and familiar. Over a driving beat, Peaches raps about wearing a beard and a moustache, and not giving a fuck if you call her. But hang on. By the next track she’s standing all alone, singing her heart out, desperately wanting you to talk to her. By the third song we’ve taken a hard turn firmly into pop-land, and Peaches is terrified about losing her man/woman.
This is unexpected, to say the least. (“First, you don’t care if I call, and then you don’t want to lose me. I just don’t know where we stand any more Peaches!”). These early diversions, through Gnarls Barkley and Kylie territory prove that Peaches really can sing but other than that, don’t say an awful lot. I Feel Cream features collaborations with Gonzalez, Simian Mobile Disco and Digitalism and is undeniably slick—it is the sound of an artist broadening her horizons. The results, however, are patchy. The album is at its best when capturing the spirit of her debut, but at its worst, it comes off as a faceless and just a bit boring.
Of the standout tracks, ‘Showstopper’ clocks in at a tight, exciting two minutes and the superb ‘Billionaire’ features Peaches verbally sparring with Spank Rock’s Shunda K. Both contain lyrics which bring to mind the inspired daftness of earlier albums–”Big trouble in little Mangina”, and “Showstopper, penny dropper, everybody’s favourite shopper!”.
With albums due from Tiga and Fischerspooner, 2009 is supposed to be the year everybody starts noticing electroclash again, but on this evidence the genre doesn’t have anywhere particularly interesting to go. At 40, Peaches has undoubtedly grown up, and while she hasn’t lost her edge—she’s still crushing parties with her thighs—it does seem a good deal smoother.
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Peaches on Myspace
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er… if you don’t like it, don’t put other people off… by looking at what’s on heavy rotation in your blog, it seems your big thing is indie… well if you ask me indie doesn’t have anywhere particularly interesting to go either… but you know, tastes & colours…