Supernature

Goldfrapp | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000EGDC0A
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,093 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #69 in Music > Dance & DJ > Trip-Hop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With their Black Cherry album, the duo of vocalist Alison Goldfrapp and composer Will Gregory moved emphatically away from the folky, filmic forays of their debut Felt Mountain to explore edgier, sexier themes. Supernature, their third long-player, continues to probe this more "adult" world, lashing together lascivious electro, cascading synths and the exhumed spirits of artists like Gary Numan and Giorgio Moroder. Lead single "Ooh La La", with its cosmetic sheen and hedonistic pop feel, is a good indicator for the rest of the album. The aphotic, flirtatious pulse of tracks like "Ride A White Horse" and "Koko" contrast subtly with spectral dream-pieces such as "Let It Take U" and "U Never Know", while Goldfrapp’s vocals--dripping here with a digitized sensuality--and Gregory’s arching soundscapes provide textural continuity. Occasionally vampish and consistently visceral, this is a classy excursion into Goldfrappian gothic dance-pop.

Product Description

Exclusive US pressing of their third album features one bonus track,'Beautiful' which was previously available on the Japanese pressing and as a B-Side in the UK. EMI. 2006.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 117 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars TOTALLY worth getting the deluxe edition March 16, 2006

By SJB VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Um, DAMN. I really enjoyed Goldfrapp's 1st album, Felt Mountain, which was ballsy in its baroque string arrangements, Alison's Shirley Bassey delivery, and its utter lack of caring whether or not it could be danced to. This is MUCH less innovative. So why do I love it so? It's one of the few albums in my entire collection that I could easily put on at a party and not ONE person would hate it, or want to change the disc. The last time that happened was probably Blowback by Alison's old friend Tricky. Anyone who buys a lot of electronic music knows this dilemma--YOU know how cool the album you just bought is, but people less cool than you think it sounds like Depeche Mode on ketamine. With Supernature, bliss will abound.

This is certainly one of the poppiest things I own, and yet also a satisfying, joyous, sexy listen, with NO WEAK TRACKS. The videos on the DVD are utterly worth it; Alison has developed an amazing stage presence and a totally playful and ironic way to project her sexuality. She's a dreamy and somewhat geeky sex symbol for smart boys. If you're straight, male, and have an IQ over 120, you WILL SWOON. You have been warned.

Perfect for fans of any form of contemporary or retro electronic music, provided their sense of fun outweighs the degree to which they take anything seriously. This is the sexiest, most debauched thing I've bought in, well, EVER.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit tempered, but a good trip regardless March 7, 2006

By Megarat

Format:Audio CD

I originally purchased "Supernature" as an import, so I've given this album a solid day in court. While it has grown on me in the last few months, my opinion still stands: "Supernature" is good solid stuff, but it doesn't measure up to Goldfrapp's first two albums.

"Felt Mountain" was a dreamy voyage through svelte lounge pop, and "Black Cherry" was a spewing geyser of electro-synth technolust. "Supernature" is, musically, a perfect chimera of the two: sedate-ish pop songs with time-signatures, progressions, and structure similar to those on "Felt Mountain", but using the electronic wall-of-sound from "Black Cherry". Like "Felt Mountain", the songs on "Supernature" are largely free of musical hooks. This lack of hooks contributed to "Felt Mountain" being a downtempo masterpiece, but it makes pop music seem ephemeral, which is "Supernature"'s greatest weakness: many of these songs don't stick around in your mind after they're over. They're nice to listen to, and as far as pop music goes they're very innovative, but they just doesn't leave you haunted.

I do enjoy this album, even though I initially found it underwhelming, because the duo are still putting together songs that are untraditional and interesting. The arrangements have a beautiful complexity and Allison's vocalwork are clearly among the top 1% of her peers. That said, I didn't notice this right away, and the uniqueness of the tracks really come out with repeated listens. They're more subtle and don't rely on either raw energy (ala "Black Cherry") or a unique lounge vibe ("Felt Mountain"). So if "Supernature" doesn't live up to your immediate expectations, give it some time. It may grow on you.

While I think this album is the weakest in their portfolio, it's still a good listen, and besides, even Goldfrapp on an off-day makes most radio-standard pop seem like algorithm-generated plodding.

Note: the US release differs from the original UK edition in that it has a bonus track, "Beautiful", a B-side from the "Number 1" single, and thankfully this is one of the strongest songs on the entire CD. For those completists out there who already have the UK version, it's really difficult to justify spending $15 just to get one new track, so if you're torn, you'd be better off tracking down the "Number 1" single (since it has "Beautiful" and another exclusive track, "All Night Operator", and some remixes).

(In case anyone out there is wondering, unlike the import version of this album, the US release has neither copy protection nor OpenDisc-based DRM technology, which can cause problems with computers, car stereos, portable disc players, etc. The US release is the way a music CD should be.)

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel the future... March 8, 2006

By CoryRay VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I've had the import version since last summer, and it's remained in very heavy rotation ever since. I dare say it's one of my all-time favorites. I absolutely love the first two albums, but with Supernature their sound has been perfected. Not only have they found their niche - they now rule it. Allison Goldfrapp has become the reigning queen of electronic pop. All others should kneel before her and weep with envy. Supernature is flawless. Every track is sheer aural magic. The majority of the album is ultra-swank disco-pop, but there are of course a couple of chill tracks akin to "Utopia," "Pilots," "Black Cherry," "Hairy Trees," and the like that will momentarily pull you out of the club and into that semi-familiar dreamworld of snow-capped mountains and fields of rainbow-colored blooms.

All that said... I don't think "Ooh La La" and "Number 1" were the best choices for the first singles. "Ooh La La" is the only track that seems a bit derivative of Black Cherry's hit singles, and "Number 1" is just not one of the best songs. Both are greats tracks - no doubt - but I would have chosen one of the more unique electro-disco-cabaret stormers like the suggestive "Slide In" or "Ride A White Horse," the cool, catchy, mid-tempo pop gem "Fly Me Away," or the gorgeous, Felt Mountain-esque "Time Out From The World." These four tracks - along with "You Never Know" and "Let It Take You" - are my personal favorites, but there really isn't a skippable track.

Perhaps there is something supernatural at work here... some type of witchcraft casting its spell over me... or maybe this is just a ridiculously talented duo that knows how to make damn fine music. In either case, do not miss this masterpiece!