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Editorial Reviews
2010 release from the genre-smashing musical pioneers. Head First is Goldfrapp's most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance. With life affirming lyrics and stellar production, it lifts off at full tilt and takes us on a journey to the heart of 2010. The duo's fifth album, Head First was written and produced by band mates Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory and was recorded throughout 2009 in Bath and in London. The diversity, ambition and direction of the album highlights Goldfrapp as true agenda-setters and modern British musical icons.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By sunspot42x
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
Look, if you don't have a sense of humor or any twinges of nostalgia for the early '80s, avoid this album like the plague. It is not for you. But if you don't have an enormous stick up your rump, you're going to get a big kick out of Head First. Goldfrapp manage to successfully mine very-early '80s synth pop for what's probably the most listenable album of their career.
Now, one could certainly argue that we had enough of Abba, and ELO, and Kim Carnes, and Olivia Newton-John the first time around. But I have to admit that every single track on this record plasters a huge goofy grin on my face, as Goldfrapp mines -- in an entirely non-ironic way, I might add -- an astounding array of early-'80s pop conventions to produce an entirely charming (and infinitely catchy) work. And it's that combination of technical achievement and solid pop songcraft that makes Head First such an intense sugar rush.
Every track is good, but the lead single "Rocket" has to be one of the finest pop tunes anybody has crafted in ages, all Reagan-era double entendres wrapped around one hot hook after another. "Alive" is the other poppy highlight, with a glittering synth fill that could transport the listener straight to Xanadu. I had to check the mirror to make sure a Member's Only jacket hadn't materialized on my back. The compelling "Believer" strongly recalls the Kim Carnes single "Voyeur" (remember when she was at the pop vanguard?), while the title track plays like some long lost Abba hit. And of course who could forget the deliciously naughty "Shiny And Warm", or the scrumptious, Motels-esque "I Wanna Life"?
The album closes with the lovely, experimental "Voicething", but truth be told it's less impressive than the pop tracks that it follows. I've never heard anybody *successfully* recreate the essence of an era the way Goldfrapp have here on Head First. It's ultimately a loving tribute to the end of the great era of radio-driven pop music.
That market would soon fragment, thanks both to technology (the Walkman, the CD), and the rise of polarizing genres (rap, metal), all of which was supposedly an improvement according to music critics. Thirty years later, listening to Head First, I'm afraid I'd have to question that conclusion. Head First may be sugary enough to rot every tooth in your head, but a pure-candy diet has to be healthier than choking on the kind of nihilistic (or materialistic) crap that largely took its place over the past 20 years. Compared to that, Head First's sweet sounds of 1981 seem shockingly liberated, forward-looking and free. I'm not quite sure how they did it, but Goldfrapp have somehow made their trip back to 1981 the most subversive thing I've heard in a long, long time.
Now, one could certainly argue that we had enough of Abba, and ELO, and Kim Carnes, and Olivia Newton-John the first time around. But I have to admit that every single track on this record plasters a huge goofy grin on my face, as Goldfrapp mines -- in an entirely non-ironic way, I might add -- an astounding array of early-'80s pop conventions to produce an entirely charming (and infinitely catchy) work. And it's that combination of technical achievement and solid pop songcraft that makes Head First such an intense sugar rush.
Every track is good, but the lead single "Rocket" has to be one of the finest pop tunes anybody has crafted in ages, all Reagan-era double entendres wrapped around one hot hook after another. "Alive" is the other poppy highlight, with a glittering synth fill that could transport the listener straight to Xanadu. I had to check the mirror to make sure a Member's Only jacket hadn't materialized on my back. The compelling "Believer" strongly recalls the Kim Carnes single "Voyeur" (remember when she was at the pop vanguard?), while the title track plays like some long lost Abba hit. And of course who could forget the deliciously naughty "Shiny And Warm", or the scrumptious, Motels-esque "I Wanna Life"?
The album closes with the lovely, experimental "Voicething", but truth be told it's less impressive than the pop tracks that it follows. I've never heard anybody *successfully* recreate the essence of an era the way Goldfrapp have here on Head First. It's ultimately a loving tribute to the end of the great era of radio-driven pop music.
That market would soon fragment, thanks both to technology (the Walkman, the CD), and the rise of polarizing genres (rap, metal), all of which was supposedly an improvement according to music critics. Thirty years later, listening to Head First, I'm afraid I'd have to question that conclusion. Head First may be sugary enough to rot every tooth in your head, but a pure-candy diet has to be healthier than choking on the kind of nihilistic (or materialistic) crap that largely took its place over the past 20 years. Compared to that, Head First's sweet sounds of 1981 seem shockingly liberated, forward-looking and free. I'm not quite sure how they did it, but Goldfrapp have somehow made their trip back to 1981 the most subversive thing I've heard in a long, long time.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Rhys Crow
Format:Vinyl
Every work they put out is different from the last and this one is another another reason I love them. 'Rocket' is a modern type of 80's synth pop. I love it.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff Martin
Format:Audio CD
I cant stop listening to this cd. I dont know what they did, but the sound quality of this cd is so amazing. it has to be played really loud to enjoy the crisp sound texture. My favorite track on there is I Wanna Life. I cant stop listening to that track. Believer is my second favorite. I feel like each cd Goldfrapp puts out, they get better and better. Its great to see a band like this grow forward and not sound like what is already out there.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yay!!
I love Goldfrapp, that's why I give this album 5 stars!! What can I say, it's that simple. It's such positive music and makes me feel happy and energized. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Oscar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Goldfrapp - Head First
Goldfrapp's HEAD FIRST mines a new vein of pop: the 80s! And right from "Rocket," the album revels in its shiny synths with plenty of that retro feel: "Alive" sounds like the track... Read more
Published 2 months ago by scoundrel
2.0 out of 5 stars
Strange, unnecessary retread of 80s dance-funk
Count me with everybody who was disappointed by the new-agey NPR flavor of the previous one; though the time was probably right for a change of direction--and I can't deny they... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dee Treadway
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have found sound
Great beat, Allison Goldfrapp and band has done it again!!! It rocks and edgy dance beat.
Hardly wait for next album. My 20. Read more
Hardly wait for next album. My 20. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Billie Jo D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stellar album!
I'd say Head First and Seventh Tree are their top albums.. both very different but both very well done. Read more
Published 12 months ago by RK Tolbert
4.0 out of 5 stars
Track-by-Track Review
**Originally posted on "#1 Hits From Another Planet" - 3/19/10**
I love that all these artists are finally rediscovering what I call the "Van Halen synth. Read more
I love that all these artists are finally rediscovering what I call the "Van Halen synth. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Nick
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good and forgettable.
So here is the bottom line...
I don't feel like going into the technical aspects and all of the minutiae people may expect from user reviews so I'm just going to cut to... Read more
I don't feel like going into the technical aspects and all of the minutiae people may expect from user reviews so I'm just going to cut to... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jin
5.0 out of 5 stars
If You Love 80s Music...
This is definitely a great album to enjoy if you are an 80s fan. I bought this last year after hearing "Rocket". I wasn't too excited about it the first time I played it. Read more
Published 24 months ago by musicfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
80s Nostalgia
Very briefly, this is a great companion piece if you are at all a fan of the Australian band Cut Copy. Read more
Published on May 23, 2011 by Deckard Trinity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent...there is nothing wrong with the 80s
Excellent album. one of my favorite Goldfrapp albums. its sad to see people rate it so low due to their personal musical preferences...truly its not for everyone. Read more
Published on March 4, 2011 by John P W
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