Morello singer Malcolm "Sir Mal" Cross may be singing about Beemers or Benz's on "European Ride" but it hardly matters even if he's singing about a beat-up Saab because his paean to foreign automobiles hits the ears like sweet cotton candy, a silky treat delivered in falsetto that reminds a bit of Marvin Gaye. Funk and soul overtones are a big part of this record and most of the funk comes from the bass work of Pierre Martin, who really hits his stride on the popping "Won't Get Me Down." The Duellists though is purely a pop record, but not of the mindless sort, and the sublime work of bands like Crowded House comes to mind. Cross sings in his regular voice (not falsetto) for most of the album and in such a way that he imparts the fun he's having rolling along atop these catchy melodies. The band though, rounded out by multi-instrumentalist Masaru Mitsu and guitarist Darrin Tehrani, does get a little extra-adventurous on the B-side's opening cut "I Wanna Be Bad" with its nod to a blues freak-out and lyrics such as "Screw you I'm not doing what you tell me." "The Time to Know You Well" is the album's one slow and slightly sad number, a stark contrast to the bouncy "Doo Doo Song," which is about "Yes I do do do" and not poo poo as might be supposed pre-listen. Bright and sunny like a Saturday afternoon, The Duellists is happiness-on-a-disc, a pop masterpiece built for repeated mood enhancement.
Order the limited edition vinyl here.
Share this article
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
blink-182 Launching North American Stadium And Arena Tour
Watch David Gilmour's 'The Piper's Call' Video
Check Out Powerman 5000 'Dancing Like We're Dead'
The String Cheese Incident Take Fans On Epic 'Roll Around The Sun'
Watch Motley Crue's 'Dogs Of War' Video
Richie Sambora Returns With 'I Pray', The First Of Four New Songs
The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Guitarist
Linkin Park Top Hard Rock And Vinyl Albums Charts With Papercuts