Scissor Sisters

Scissor Sisters

December 15, 2004

# 5

As The Electric 6 are to 2003, The Scissor Sisters are to 2004: outrageous lyrics, late ‘70s/early ‘80s throwback style and musicality, and a dance, dance, dance decadent sensibility flung all over the disco and beyond. Add to that a non-stop cabaret dance party twist and voila: you’ve got the outrageous Scissor Sisters. This is music your mother doesn’t want you to listen to, not because you’ll become a devil worshiping bat biter, but rather, because you’ll have more fun than she could ever imagine. And if she can imagine that much fun, well, than you’ve got one helluva hip mother.

The sound and image of the self-titled debut by New York City’s Scissor Sisters is a conglomeration of Pink Floyd, The Bee Gees, The Wizard of Oz, and Elton John updated with the slightly altered retro look from the period that is seemingly everywhere in 2004. The songs are irresistibly catchy and for some odd reason seem more like the product of Britain than the U.S. Go figure.

This is a group of four lads and a gal that I could only hope to be, but who I was oddly drawn to for just that reason. These are the guys I’d want playing live at one of my house parties, guys who’d definitely up my cred with music aficionados, and undoubtedly horrify the fellas wearing the Abercrombie & Fitch and drinking beer from bottles. In other words, this is some damn fine music to do your best Rock Lobster impersonation to. And that’s a damn good thing.

The story of my first contact with The Sisters begins in the spring of 2004. I had been doing a little reading up on the B-52s at the time and read that they would be playing a summer gig at the Brockton Rox baseball stadium in Massachusetts. As it goes in my life, the concert was out of subway distance, so I would not be in attendance. But alas, I would not be stymied for knowledge, and in my further readings, noticed the fine print: Opening Act The Scissor Sisters. “Who the hell are the Scissor Sisters?” I mused, “And where had I heard that expression before?” I would soon find out much more than I bargained for.

By luck, I was able to download Laura over the Internet that night. What I was treated to was a driving, robotic beat that had me tapping my foot and nodding my head. Before the song had ended, I was gaily singing along. And I do mean gaily. This was a band I needed to hear further.

Through another fortunate turn of events, I was able to obtain the entire album a short time later through a friend. He hadn’t heard of them, but he was willing to give them a shot. Ahh, the benefits of friendship. The rest of the album was just as good as Laura if not better. Little did I know, several months later a little song by the name of Take Your Mama would head out to airwaves across the country, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The bulk of 2004 has found me visiting The Scissor Sisters on numerous occasions. Their songs have littered numerous compilations I have put together and lead singer Jake Shears’ has been heard at more than one of my party events. Better still, more than a few people have inquired, “what the hell are you listening to?” at said parties. And that, my friends, makes it all worthwhile.

Throughout 2004, these Scissor Sisters have never disappointed. For my money, the best songs are Tits on the Radio, Filthy Gorgeous, and Laura, but in all honesty, nearly the entire disc is good stuff, something that can rarely be said in the age of singles oriented albums. Not that these aren’t dynamite singles, but you get the point. Bottom line: this is a super fresh party album and one of the best overall in 2004.

Note: For those not in the know, but still curious and not easily offended, the term “scissor sisters” refers to a certain sexual act between two women and a certain foreign object shared between them. And if you’re still a little perplexed, I leave you with this image, that may or may not provide enlightenment, but it sure looks weird. Enjoy!