REVIEW: Peach Union, Audiopeach (Epic)
- Bob Gajarsky
Three disparate people, finding each other, to produce a record which spans the 60s with the present-day and sounds timeless. A single, "On My Own", which has already sparked the interest of radio program directors in a time of year that is usually reserved for more established artists. All of this can be found on Audiopeach , the debut record from Peach Union.
The European trio - Britons Paul Statham, Lisa Lamb and Belgian Pascal Gabriel - all bring diverse background to the table. Lamb's credentials include performing in a jazz band as well as in a jungle band (!), while the other two have had more mainstream success; Gabriel worked with Mark Moore (S'Express) and Tim Simenon (Bomb The Bass) during the late 80s, while Statham wrote and recorded with Peter Murphy to produce his 1990 alterna-hit "Cuts You Up".
The leadoff single, "On My Own" , is a track which can span generations while having its roots firmly in today's music. Lamb sounds like Dusty Springfield on vocals for a Burt Bacharach-loving, synthpop band with Phil Spector producing - or, for more modern fans, Dusty fronting the Pet Shop Boys (a la "What Have I Done To Deserve This") during their Very Relentless period. This combination is flawless and results in a nearly unforgettable pop gem. The formula is repeated in a similar style (though different music) on the Spector-influenced girl group sound of "Sorrow Town".
As Audiopeach progresses, the beats get a tad faster; whereas the first half of the disc is clearly based in the 60s sound, the second half features more of a synth-techno backing beat that lends itself to dance clubs. "Give Me Tomorrow" falls somewhere between the sound of two Beats - Bronski and Culture - with Lamb's airy vocals offering a sharp contrast to the driving, minimized beats. We're taken back to the serene side of things with "Hush", the final track on Audiopeach , but this only serves to emphasize the multiple directions in which Peach Union pursue their musical ambitions.
Lamb's vocals take over this record the same way Alison Moyet's dominated Yazoo's two releases, but with a lighter feel to things. In fact, Audiopeach is released in the UK on Yazoo's label, Mute, under the monicker Peach. Peach Union smartly allows Lamb's standout vocals drive the song, rather than letting the techno beats become a runaway vehicle with no clear cut path to follow. They demonstrate the potential which can be created by merging pop's past with its present. According to Gabriel, the most important moments in pop history are when "Kraftwerk abandoned live drums and guitars, Cerrone created "Supernature" and the day Burt Bacharach met Hal David."
It all fits together so nicely. Just like the songs on Audiopeach .
