Psapp sure is being defensive. The recurring line in all I've read about them is roughly: "Don't let the fact that they use toys as instruments turn you off." That's more of a turn-off than if they had just told me they use toys. I have nothing against toys. I like toys. But they know that I might then roll my eyes and ready myself for something trite and gratuitous. Or maybe they have the feeling that Tiger, My Friend might actually be a little trite and gratuitous. And it is. A little. But the toys are more of a red herring than anything else.
I can't help but feel guilty saying anything negative about such a polite, innocent, harmless album. It helps, then, that there's nothing really wrong with it. Psapp is a male/female duo, and it's unclear from which angle they approach their music. In every track are two distinct elements doing their best to find some middle ground. On one hand are the angular rhythms, crunches, squeaks, and warbles found in any glitch starter kit. And while these sounds sometimes choose to explore the juxtaposition of their textures, the overall sense is that they're an arbitrary embellishment, relegated to a supporting role. The addition of the toys at this point only adds clumsiness to the offhand, mechanical execution.
The second element at "play" here is a dark, sultry atmosphere, manifested in four forms: the vocals, a kind of creamy, throaty female's; the lyrics, which mention such things as "leafy fronds and tiger fur"; the shiny black grand piano and acoustic guitar; and the samba rhythm most tracks are soaked in to a greater or lesser extent. This aspect falls short of its obviously high emotional aspirations, and is better suited for the hotel lounge than the laptop.
Like I said, it's hard to tell which element is the excuse for the other, or whether either of them could do better under different circumstances. Like most relationships, however, it appears that she's wearing the pants (careful not to speak of the members of Psapp themselves). Their interaction isn't without its charm, and succeeds often. But in spite of every effort and explicit claim to the contrary, it doesn't really sound like they're having that much fun. It feels more like a new, awkward, middle-age romance -- comfortable, a little desperate, and increasingly aware of its ultimate futility.
1. Northdown Flat B1
2. Rear Moth
3. Leaving in Coffins
4. Calm Down
5. Velvet Pony
6. About Fun
7. Curuncula
8. King Kong
9. The Counter
10. Chapter
11. Tiger, My Friend
More about: Psapp
