DECEMBER 2005 PRESS
MUSIC - Space glam
Sexy queer New York band recalls heydays
of Bowie and Barbarella
By Gilbert Garcia
Pop Music Critic
Atomic Swindlers
“Coming Out Electric”
Self release
Hailing from the sleepy
town of Rochester in upstate New York,
glam rockers Atomic Swindlers make a
good case that aliens may be living among
us. Led by leather-clad lesbian singer
April Laragy, the space-age sextet emulates
the androgynous glam movement of the ’70s
with a very queer, futuristic-retro vibe.
On their self-produced debut, “Coming
Out Electric,” the Swindlers strike
a perfect balance between high concept
and high camp — telling the story
of a queer girl from the 23rd century.
When
a group so proudly wields its influences,
comparisons are inevitable. Resemblances
to Blondie and “Ziggy Stardust”-era
David Bowie are obvious. And rock musicals
in the vein of “The Rocky Horror
Show” and “Hedwig and the
Angry Inch” also some to mind.
But it would be a mistake to ignore less
obvious influences.
Listen to Laragy’s
vocals and you can hear a young Gwen
Stefani, a common observation that’s
begun to stick. The group’s thick,
guitar-driven production gives a nod
to studio noodlers like Pink Floyd and
Radiohead. And if you listen closely,
you’ll find
occasional hints of Iggy Pop and Jimi
Hendrix.
Where most concept albums require
an effort to enjoy, the charm of “Coming
Out Electric” is immediate. From
start to finish, the album’s sci-fi
groove is relentlessly catchy. Standouts
on “Coming Out Electric” include
the record opener and first single, “Float
(My Electric Stargirl),” the driving
punk of “Space Bandits” and
the go-go glam of “Diamond Dreamers.”
As
the dreamy “Jupiter’s
Falling” proves, Atomic Swindlers
can nail ballads as easily as rock anthems.
They also kick up high drama regardless
of volume or tempo. You’ll be hard-pressed
to find a dud among the dozen tracks
on this CD.
Though the Atomic Swindlers
are currently unsigned, the groundswell
of positive buzz should solve that pretty
soon. Grassroots support, both on the
Web and satellite radio, has also bolstered
the band’s
indie success. If and when the band records
a follow-up, the only competition they’ll
face is from themselves. A remarkable
debut, “Coming Out Electric” will
be a tough album to top.
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