Saucy Monky
This is the follow up to the much acclaimed debut Saucy Monky album 'Celebrity Trash' that was named after a lingerie store in L.A. An idea it has been said, that demonstrates the witty and wild nature of the band, something that has been continued into this newer work.
This album is already a big hit in Ireland, the original home of guitarist and vocalist Annmarie Cullen, where the band has toured a number of times and also played key festival slots alongside much bigger names such as PJ Harvey and Black Eyed Peas. 'Turbulence' was released there in 2004 and it is best summed up as a mixture of humor, well crafted songs and lush, sometimes haunting vocals where the harmonies between the two female voices is a real highlight. This is all mixed with a rock sound that allows their music to retain something of an edgy feel.
This record has been home produced by the other main vocal contributor, Cynthia Catania, and features input from the likes of mixer Chris Fogel, who has U2 and Alanis Morissette on his CV, and keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna, who has featured on the work of more soulful acts such as Macy Gray and Joss Stone. Looking down the track list the one that immediately stands out from the fifteen is 'I Touch Myself', which is indeed a cover of The Divinyls 1991 hit. It is a heavier, faster, more punky approach to the song, although the familiarity of the tune does aid it in being one of the more poppy parts of the album.
This is fundamentally a rock record and retains something of the Indy edge of their debut. In amongst the harder tracks are some softer moments, the trippy yearning, heart felt ballad 'Bright Side' being the strongest. Other tracks worth highlighting are 'Speedball' and 'Change Your Mind', both at the rock end of their musical spectrum, the former is a mid-tempo track that would be well suited to a single release.
If you're yet to hear any of Saucy Monky's work there are a number of bands whose sound I could use as a comparison, The Pretenders seems to be an obvious one. The vocals at times are reminiscent of Cerys Matthews formerly of Catatonia, and Skin who fronted Skunk Anansie, but if you remember Belly from the early nineties, I'm hearing aspects of them in this record too. In a nutshell this album comes across as a bunch of people having a good laugh, making a great rock record.