Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Round and Round (4AD)
3/5
By: Stephen Maughan
“Round and round” the chorus goes, like a carousel with its 80's beats and Duran Duran keyboards. I feel like I'm a little boy again, riding around on the horses waving to my parents as the carousel spins and spins.
Then, you want to get off. Everyone is laughing and smiling, but you start to feel sick. Ariel Pink keeps singing “merry-go-round round and round we go”, and your head is now spinning. The music that once seemed lively and fun now is seriously getting on your nerves. You look at the other children on the carousel, they keep on laughing as the damn song goes on and on, rather like this paragraph I keep typing - will it ever end?
This review will confuse those of you who were drawn to the experimental and unconventional edge of earlier Ariel Pink songs. In fact, a word of warning is needed here, as apparently the whole thing was recorded at Tito Jackson's (Michael’s brother’s) old house by Quincy Jones’ grandson, and Brian Wilson producer Rik Pekkonen (I've never heard of him, but I'm sure the internet will reveal all). As such, the Ariel Pink of old has gone, replaced by a super-slick, fun loving, very produced sound. Hard to believe? Get on board the carousel, and spin around a few times – you’ll soon get the hang of the new sound. The lo-fi kids will cry “sell out”, but believe me, the kids at the fairground will love it.
And we can all agree that cover art is ace.
Artists in this article: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
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