Cut Copy “In Ghost Colours” Review

It can’t be long before grunge music is back in fashion, judging by the plethora of post-punk revivalists flooding the market at the moment. Sydney band Cut Copy are pioneers of the revivalist movement, predating the exploding Australian electro scene with 2004’s Bright Like Neon Love. The soft, effortless album echoed New Order and Daft Punk, weaving together post-punk and modern dance in a way that has been endlessly replicated since. As the international standard bearers for Australian electro-rock, In Ghost Colours has a lot to live up to and kicks off by immediately setting itself apart from their debut from the first track. More vibrant and urgent than ’Future’ which was intoxicating in its laid back tone, ’Feel the Love’ sets the tone for the entire record with cheeky house influenced synthesizers and filtered vocals. The layering in the song is a common
theme throughout the album and shows just how much effort front man Dan Whitford has put into crafting a coherent and immersive record. In Ghost Colours has a tendency to bleed from one track to the next if you don’t pay attention – the mood is merely so soothing, and the record so consistent, that only by focusing was I able to pick out what I considered to be the better songs. Far Away and Nothing Lost, Nothing Found blur the line between Cut Copy’s rock and house influences with the signature keyboard synthesizers and endlessly layered vocal samples combining with thick basslines perfectly. It isn’t, however, a perfect album. First single Lights & Music jumps the shark by being more annoying than 80’s kitsch and the one minute interludes blend the songs together too well, leaving no room to breathe. Regardless, In Ghost Colours is one of the best releases of the year and Cut Copy have proven they’re not yet another one-album indie band plaguing the world.

Is it In Ghost Colors in America? I despise Microsoft Office continuously reverting to U.S. English. It’s colours, you fucking automaton

Tomorrow I rant about Madonna and how she’s a crusty old demon sent to destroy Timbaland’s (already suspect, thanks Onerepublic) reputation