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Gus Gus Album: “This Is Normal”
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Release Date:2005-09-13
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Type:Unknown
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Genre:Electronic/Dance, Mood Swing, Alternative Rock
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Label:4 A.D.
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Explicit Lyrics:No
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UPC:603497080069
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Review - AMG :
Gus Gus' second album, This Is Normal, heralds their discovery that they are first and foremost a pop band. While the spacious, sophisticated electronica they developed on their debut (Polydistortion) is still evident, This Is Normal's smooth, streamlined finish has more than a nodding acquaintance with dance-pop. Though Normal is certainly less weird than its predecessor, it remains floating outside of the mainstream, but swims a little closer to it. Looking to explore individual normality within the album's 11 tracks, Gus Gus' multiple singers and songwriters expound on sex, fame, youth, and love. "Ladyshave" features sly vocals from Daníel Ágúst and a slightly kinky premise, while Hafdis Huld's breathy soprano elevates "Teenage Sensation," "Superhuman," and "Blue Mug" to an icy, remote beauty. As with Polydistortion, Gus Gus continue to be more convincing on their albums' quiet, introspective moments. The mannered chamber pop of "Bambi" and the pretty atmospherics of "Dominique" are among the highlights of This Is Normal, while dance-oriented songs like "Very Important People," "Starlovers," and "Love vs. Hate" probably sound less flat and distant at one of the group's amazing multimedia concerts. The innovative beats and arrangements on Gus Gus' debut are missed here, but This Is Normal is still a fine blend of accessibility and invention. ~ Heather Phares, All Music GuideReview - Yahoo! Music - Mike Lipton :
For its second full-length release, this nine-piece Icelandic group takes a logical (and necessary) step beyond its hypnotic 1997 debut. While Polydistortion relied on more conventional samples and drum loops, as well as taking ample cues from Tangerine Dream and first generation electronica, Normal adds a helping of big-beat drum tracks to the occasional pop-rock song.Wisely, the disc leads off with "Ladyshave," an odd (and sensuous) reflection about the joys (and perils) of shaving over a Bronski Beat-styled track, which very well could be one of the coolest cuts of the year. "Starlovers" takes a more tried-and-true tack, but slows the groove from techno to near-funk. The tune is a thumping mantra about loving God, a concept Gus Gus previously touched on in its murky and minimalist (but not tongue-in-cheek) "Is Jesus Your Pal?" The rest of the disc skitters from "Bambi," a syrupy ballad featuring nothing but vocalist Daniel Agust and a string section (courtesy of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra), to the androgynous, quasi-spiritual "Love Vs. Hate," which borrows a bit too much from Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax." For trivia buffs, the band's name was inspired by Fear Eats The Soul, a 1972 film by German filmmaker Werner Fassbinder in which the African food couscous relates heavily to lovemaking. Review - :
{$Gus Gus}' second album, {^This Is Normal}, heralds their discovery that they are first and foremost a {\pop} band. While the spacious, sophisticated {\electronica} they developed on their debut ({^Polydistortion}) is still evident, {^This Is Normal}'s smooth, streamlined finish has more than a nodding acquaintance with {\dance-pop}. Though {^Normal} is certainly less weird than its predecessor, it remains floating outside of the mainstream, but swims a little closer to it. Looking to explore individual normality within the album's 11 tracks, {$Gus Gus}' multiple singers and songwriters expound on sex, fame, youth, and love. {&"Ladyshave"} features sly vocals from {$Daníel Ágúst} and a slightly kinky premise, while {$Hafdis Huld}'s breathy soprano elevates {&"Teenage Sensation,"} {&"Superhuman,"} and {&"Blue Mug"} to an icy, remote beauty. As with {^Polydistortion}, {$Gus Gus} continue to be more convincing on their albums' quiet, introspective moments. The mannered {\chamber pop} of {&"Bambi"} and the pretty atmospherics of {&"Dominique"} are among the highlights of {^This Is Normal}, while {\dance}-oriented songs like {&"Very Important People,"} {&"Starlovers,"} and {&"Love vs. Hate"} probably sound less flat and distant at one of the group's amazing multimedia concerts. The innovative beats and arrangements on {$Gus Gus}' debut are missed here, but {^This Is Normal} is still a fine blend of accessibility and invention. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
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