The first thing you’ll notice if you pop this disc into a computer is that it is interactive. It contains a video for the album’s first single, “Charlie Big Potato”, and that alone is worth the price of the album. The enhanced cd also has photos and a section entitled Confessions, where the band describes the meaning behind each song. This is perhaps one of the best additions to a cd that I’ve seen in a long, long time. And since the band describes each song for you, I won’t even attempt to reproduce their meanings and instead I will suggest you just buy the disc.
So what in the hell is a Skunk Anansie? Well, in America not many of us have yet been baptized by their power. The band reminds me of the story of The Beauty and the Beast. Skin, the bald-headed lead singer, is a female known by most as the vocalist who spread the word for the Chemical Brothers on “Block Rockin’ Beats”. She seems to pour all of her soul into every song. Her voice has so many dynamic elements to it that it is truly something to behold. She is the beauty to the beast that is the band completing Skunk Anansie. Ace burns on guitar, Cass thumps your subwoofers with his bass, and Mark mans the drum kit.
“On My Hotel T.V.” is a raging firestorm with no regrets. Then comes “We Don’t Need Who You Think You Are”. Skin’s voice is as delicate as a flower during the verses, but when her band wails during the chorus she kicks your teeth in. Skunk Anansie, as heavy as they are, write great melodies. Each song has a big chorus and great verses that will have you studying the lyrics over and over again until they are etched into your soul. “Tracy’s Flaw” is another chance for you to just shake your head in disbelief as Skin blows your mind; at times she even sounds like Tina Turner. As great as “Tracy’s Flaw” is, it was not until “Secretly” came on that I found the ante upped. The intro starts of with an orchestra of strings that ushers in the greatest instrument: the voice of Skin. She sings with so much emotion that you will feel like you were the victim.
“The Skank Heads” grinds with thick guitars and full throttle metal that gets you crazy and chanting the wildly addictive chorus, “Get off me!” “And This Is Nothing That I Thought I Had” starts off with a thumping bassline, showing you the road that the band has taken it upon themselves to travel. Skin breaks it down during the chorus, and thrashes from fifth gear back to first. The band makes these transitions seem like child’s play. The presumably simple “I’m Not Afraid” has some of the most symbolic lyrics on the album: “I’ve seen behind the wall of words/ you’re sneaky with the facts/ look who’s hiding now, now I’ve seen through cracks/ still I’m not afraid.”
Much of the album focuses on great lyrics and even better choruses. The fans of Skunk’s heavy sound will love this album, as will those who have a thing for beautifully crafted ballads. Every song is an anthem in its own right. This album is an absolute must. I’ve had it for six months, weeks before its release in the UK last March, and I’m still listening to it today.
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