She's In Control

This is the new sound
We came to get down
Our name is Chromeo
And we are in control.

I have a few issues with the opening lines of Chromeo's 2004 debut record. I don't believe that they are entirely accurate in their assertions.

This is the new sound

That's debateable. The digitised vocal effect was made popular years ago by Daft Punk - most of Discovery contains a digitised vocal track - and furthermore The Buggles mastered it years before that in Video Killed the Radio Star. In fact, there was a digital effect in The Beatles' Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (cellophane flowers of yellow and green anyone?). So what exactly is new about She's In Control? The shuffling dance beat is reminiscent of the house music at its peak in the late 90s, and the melody is staid and boring - and there's nothing new in that. If I wanted staid and boring I'd go and buy something by Gomez. The new sound? I think not. We'll move on.

We came to get down

You may well have done so fellas. I won't stop you from trying. I can recommend Underworld or New Order circa 1986 to help you "get down."

Our name is Chromeo

I know! I know that because it says so on the album cover and again on the CD itself. I've always been suspiscous of bands that tell you who they are in the opening lines of their first track. Between the time that one closes the CD player and the time that the first track begins, I bet that 9 out of 10 people remember the name of the group that they've chosen to put on, and I reckon a fair swathe of them could give you the name of the album as well. The keen amongst us will give you the name of the first track and true believers will even remember how many minutes and seconds it goes for.

And we are in control

Now that I don't believe. Don't try your Jedi mind games on me. You can't just say that you're in control and expect to take the reins just like that. I thought "she" was in control anyway. Now you're telling me you are? I'm confused! Who do I report to if I cut my finger?

When I wrote a review of a cd for the student newspaper in 1999, readers wanted to know two things - who is this new writer and will you please please please promise to never ever let him near your publication again. Some correspondents even said "please" a fourth time. Everyone's a critic...

The album referred to is a good listen. 3 stars. The name "Chromeo" had stuck in my mind for almost 3 years as I'd heard them on the radio back in 2 double 0 4 and, like a good nerd, wrote their name down in my shiny new student diary. (10am - 2094 lecture, 11am - one hour's "fitness appreciation" on library lawn - phwooooaaaaaarrr! Note to self: wear tracksuit pants.) Years later I retrieved said diary and bought the CD just like that! Comme ca!!!
Anyway, it's good music to paint a house to. Needy Girl is a catchy little ditty with cool electronic beats. All of the tracks have electronic beats, it's just that Needy Girl's is cooler than the rest. That's why it was the single. Maybe that's why I'm single? That's enough out of me. Bye, readers.