(Single from album, "Fall To Grace")
A new Paloma Faith track charted this week, almost an hour ago, and it suddenly occurred to me that I had forgotten all about this absolute musical gem. After last night's vicious punk romp at the Brixton Academy with Cud, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, it made sense to review one of several bombastic tracks that were thrashed out before my very eyes and ears - however, the Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark synth-glam of this track reached out and touched my heartstrings just like it did the very first time...
If it doesn't meet your standards as anything else, it is at least a wonderful tribute the pop songs of old. There is not much going on in terms of lyrical genius, or incredibly talented instrumentation, but, it manages to retain the squelchy, dancey anthemic feel that the chart hits of old had; in 1986, this would have been alright, but now, its like a beautiful retro throwback, executed with perfect keyboard orientated vibe and superb pretence in the vocal and the occasional lyric that gives the song away...
There's a wah-wah whine in the background, and then as the voice rises, reaching a par with Ultravox's Midge Ure as far as ridiculous lyrics go, a crescendo of calculated cacophony sounds and there's electronic music on every level of the track. Your mind becomes a game of Pong or Pac-Man - there is no escape from the synthetic vibe, and, far from soulless, as these songs can so easily become, its attractive and very, very catchy.
And it sounds just like OMD...honestly, if Andy McClusky was involved here, I wouldn't be surprised.
It just rocks, to put it simply. Have a listen, see what you think...I reckon, its brilliant.
★★★★
Versions of “30 Minute Love Affair”
Album/Single Version - 3:20
M Factor Remix - 3:07
DC Breaks Remix - 4:25
Hostage Remix - 3:28