Albums by this artist

The Power Out (2004)

Electrelane

The Power Out

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» PIERO SCARUFFI | STAFF WRITER

Electrelane The Power Out Too Pure, 2004 RiYL: Wire, Franz Ferdinand, early Stereolab

Verity Susman has become Electrelane's full-fledged vocalist on The Power Out, which is more of a collection of regular songs than 2001's instrumental-leaning Rocket To The Moon. In fact, the vocals actually steal the show in a few cases. Nico's ghost looms over "Gone Under Sea," lulled by minimalist guitar strumming. "The Valleys" is a novelty built around goofy vocal harmonies that mix 1950s' barber style and medieval liturgy. "This Deed" is a gothic whisper that surges in a solemn scream.

On the other hand, "On Parade" is more typical of their rhythmic experiments, a syncopated surf-ska locomotive. So is "Take The Bit Between Your Teeth," a demonic voodoobilly with echoes of, believe it or not, Creedence Clearwater Revival. A disco beat a la The B-52's surfaces in "Only One Thing Is Needed," graced by a wonderful instrumental coda.

Susman's erudite songs can also avail themselves of atmospheric arrangements, particularly on "Oh Sombra!," where minimalist repetition and resonance fills the ambience. Despite Susman's plain register, her vocals are a welcome addition to the band's disturbing sound. Elsewhere, the organ-driven crescendo "Love Builds Up" and the neoclassical piano sonata "You Make Me Weak At The Knees" are the last remnants of their all-instrumental art.

PIERO SCARUFFI | Piero Scaruffi runs the exhaustive music database Scaruffi.com. A native of Italy, he has also been praised for his work on the General Theory of Relativity, formal theories of the mind, and artificial intelligence. And no, we aren't making that up.