Customer Reviews

Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a product of the 80's music scene I approached this with some fear. I wasn't ready to see 80's music make its cyclical return. But the album surprised me. Rocket Ride, Hunting Season, Short Skirts, & Watching Cars Go By are all great songs. Those aren't even all that 80's sounding. Ready 2 Wear, on the other hand does sound like something out of about 1983. While there are some weak tracks toward the end including one that rips off Alex Foley's theme this is still my favorite album of 2004.

After the big success albums "Kittenz and Three Glitz" Felix Da Housacat is back with his second studio album "Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever" It isn't as much electro sounding as his first one, this is more early 80's sytnh sounding, still not bad in anyway. You got to give credit for Da Housecat AKA Felix Stallings Jr as one of the most creative artists around, he's sound is unique with influence from synth-pop, electro, funk and pop and this album has a very warm happy retro sound you don't find very often today, this could have been released in 1984 or something. There are many guest artists here, like the female band "Neon Fever" hence the name of the album.
The songs like i said are synth-pop influented, 80's sound. The highlight are "Ready 2 wear" sang by a man, it's a typical 80's song that sowehow feels fammiliar. "Romantique" has some great electro beats and a female voice that sings with a french accent. The songs with Neon Fever sound a bit simular, but okey. "Devin Dazzle" is catchy electro sounding with a happy sound. "Neon Human" has a very good melody, and strange vocals which are hard to understand. Overall a good album, with a unique sound.

I absolutely loved the first Felix album and have been waiting along time for this one. Felix has done away with the dark, tight, disco-house style he is known for and picked on a more flowing, lighter, electric live band sound....which I didn't think worked at first, but once put on my ipod it's love at first sight or should that be sound??

Devin Dazzle blows a big ol' breath of fresh air into the electro/house scene at the moment and sets the scene for new albums by artists such as Miss Kittin and Fischerspooner who are also going for that live band sound. Check out tracks Ready 2 Wear (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City sounding), Everyone One Is Someone in LA (Saved By The Bell Vs The Terminator), Let Your Mind Be Your Bed (white hot, white socks, white lipstick), Nina (soothing lullaby)....................BUT DON'T LISTEN TO ME, GO OUT THERE AND SEE FOR YA SELF!!!!

"Devin you're such a pervert...........!"

Unlike so many others, I really enjoyed this album very much. I know it's different from his last release, and it does definitely have an eighties sound (his sound has always been retro!) I think this album is the most POP he's ever gone, with exception to mixing pop artists singles of course!
If you liked his other releases, you might still enjoy this one. If he were to make an identical replica of "kittenz" his fans would most likely have ripped him a new one. There is no winning with fickle "fans" of music. This album sounds like an obvious progression for this artist. The songs are fun!
Highlights (for me, anyhow)
RocketRide
Ready2Wear
Everyone is someone in LA
Watching Cars Go By

The last one has tired female robot vocals a la "Satisfaction" by that Benny Benassi (spelling?) dude. But it's lyrical content saves it. Amusing. Ready2Wear is true Felix, the best track here. Love it.

This needs to be simple. This CD is flawless. It is different from Kittenz, but that is what is refreshing about it. It takes me back to the 80's John Hughes movies and fashions in a good way. At first I was surprised by the overall feel of the music but it is addictive and gets better with each listen! Definately not for everyone, but i recommend for fans of good 80's music and those looking to take a trip back 20 years or so! I haven't taken this disc out of my car since buying it!

I only heard of felix da housecat when i heard 'silver screen shower scene' on the soundtrack to the game ssx3. I looked him up on the internet, and that day i ordered his 2001 album 'kittenz and thee glitz'.I loved it and ranks as one my favorite albums EVER.When i found out about 2004's 'devin dazzle and the neon fever' i was quick to find out more. i thought what the heck, and ordered it in a flash, since 'kittenz and thee glitz' has been my soundtrack to 2005. felix has always been one year ahead of me, so i'll be on look out for his next effort.Anyway, this album ISN'T like 'kittenz and thee glitz' and surprised me, but within one listen i was hooked.Strangely, felix has gone with an 80's sound, and i usually don't like the word 'eighties', but when felix does it, it makes it acceptable because it's 80's music with a twist.A felix twist. And if youve already heard 'kittenz', you will have now breathed a sigh of relief. Felix has always been an underground force. So, you are very lucky to read this and find out about Felix.But, check out www.felixdahousecat.com and tell your mates.a lot of People are'nt fortunate enough to experience his unique sound, but i know that soon he will be up there with the best(and the not so best). His collaboration with p.diddy,for example(yes, i know, he could have done better than p.diddy, but he's still an icon,and chances like that don't come around every day).Overall, this is a genious masterpiece that only felix could have thought up.I can't wait to find out what he's gonna hit us with next! with a perfect balance of synth beats, punk, chugging guitar lines and Dancefloor grooves,I know what i'm doing this new years eve!! i'm holdin' a party at my house, and were gonna get on down to both 'kittenz' and, of course, the fantastic 'devin dazzle and the neon fever'!!
Spread the word. Peace out.
Ryan

'Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever', the follow-up album of the classic 'Kittenz and thee Glitz', is a genre bending album with it's mix of synth-pop, funk-punk and electro rock. The songs (average length: three minutes) are danceable, at times sleazy, incredibly catchy and frighteningly addictive.

The standout track on the album is 'Ready 2 Wear', which is a simple but yet so effective and irresistible song with it's synth laden vocals and cool electro beats. Another highlight on the album is 'Watching cars go by' with it's rough beats and distorted guitar riffs and vocals.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit it but 'Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever' is without a doubt one of my favourite guilty pleasures!

i was expecting something totally different. his live sets i heard were an amazing blend of ebm, house, techno and new wave with a little electro. now it seems hes into the letigre lesbian electro-funkrock sound. guitars are trendy now and this album is no exception. its a party album for those who like the b-52's and stuff like that.

It's ok. The production is fine, but the beats lack the strength that productions like I Com by Miss Kittin have. I'm not really enjoying this one as much as Kittens and Thee Glitz or A Bugged Out Mix, but if you want to collect all Felix's CD's, this one must be there. Beautiful cover, very poppy style, back to the 70's or early 80's design.

Not as good as "Kittenz And Thee Glitz", which touch more on the darker side of glitz, glamour, and other absurdities associated with 80's Material Culture. "Devin Dazzle And The Neon Fever" is showing signs that Da Housecat is going from Electroclash to "Electro-Pop"...just like what happened to most New Wave groups/performers. Think of Blondie and Talking Heads....from Punk To Pop. (Gaggggg...!!!)

I saw this of sorts happen July 2nd, 2004 at The Kastle Nightclub in St. Louis. What happened was Felix's cd-player/mixer broke and he was forced to borrow vinyls/turntables from other the DJ's to continuing his performance....which transformed a "New Wave Rebirth" to a "Stupid House Disco Disaster" (though his spinning skills were great, it's just that all he would spin were Studio 54-type vinyls...) In the end, though the party groove continued...it just lacked that "Madame Hollywood" taste to it (and everyone knew it). As a result..the big winner that night (in my opinon) was one of his openers...a local Synth-Punk/Neo-Darkwave group called Femme Fatality. So my suggestion is...though this is a great cd and all...be warned, The Housecat is has gone Pop slightly with it.

Bobby Ballistic
author and STL "Scenester"