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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Top 10 Albums of 2008: 2. CUT COPY - In Ghost Colours


Comparisons to New Order tend to crop up whenever Cut Copy are discussed, and it’s not hard to see why: in terms of making exuberant, uplifting synth-based music that indie boys/girls can dance to, the Melbourne trio have taken plenty of tips from the masters. One of the main strengths of In Ghost Colours, the follow-up to 2004’s impressive Bright Like Neon Love, is the nigh-on-perfect sequencing: dreamy interludes like ‘Midnight Runner’ and ‘Visions’ segue into thrilling, hands-in-the-air anthems like ‘So Haunted’ and ‘Nobody Lost, Nobody Found’; reflecting frontman Dan Whitford’s DJ background. There’s so many magical moments here, such as when the day-glo pop of ‘Feel the Love’ gives way to the opening synth stabs of ‘Out There On The Ice’; or when the pounding (think Doves) guitar workout of ‘So Haunted’ breaks down into a sublime electro-pop outro; or the moment the irresistible beat of ‘Far Away’ kicks in. Hell, the album’s worth buying for the backing vocals alone. What’s more, the tunes take on extra life in the live setting, as evidenced by the Australians’ sensational Electric Picnic performance. And it shouldn’t go without mention that the album is co-produced by DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy, which – along with Hercules and Love Affair (see below) – provides further proof of his Midas touch.

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