Apr 2003

If the sensual world of debut album 'Felt Mountain' (nominated for the 2001 Mercury Music Prize) was infused with the scent of dark fantasy and imaginary landscapes, Goldfrapp's new album adds the sounds and energy of the city, the whirl of fairgrounds and the rush of desire. Written and recorded over the last 12 months by the Goldfrapp duo of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, 'Black Cherry' still builds on their trademark experimental edges and that awesome force is every bit as evident and not a shred less relevant. From the heartbroken beauty of the title track and the inordinately sensual, disturbed purr of 'Deep Honey' to the sonic whirlpools of 'Tiptoe', 'Black Cherry' reinforces Goldfrapp's siren–like ability to suck you into other realms. On first hearing, the driving basslines of 'Train' or 'Strict Machine', or the playfully, joyously sexual 'Twist' seem a world away from some of 'Felt Mountain's atmospherics but anyonewho witnessed the energy and potent intensity of last year's live shows would recognise the feeling behind them. As Alison remembers, "The shows often started very controlled and really intense, so it was a big release live to be able to hit things, to let go and explode".

HMV CD Editor

The second instalment from the electro-inspired duo and follow up to the phenomenal Felt Mountain, Black Cherry had been hotly anticipated.

Allegedly, spending most of their time in a recording studio in Bath, Black Cherry perfectly illustrates the claustrophobia they may have been battling with. Returning with an edgier, more excited sound yet still marinating their trademark electro-ambient sound.

Black Cherry, in a great step in the progress of Goldfrapp and Gregory's confidence as musicians and with the commercial success of their second album, had proved themselves to be more than a just a one album hit. Black Cherry ultimately, established them as being the pioneers of the ever evolving genre of electro-synth pop.

Train and Strict Machine clearly stood out as the two most distinctive tracks from an already extremely confident second album and would be used to promote the likes of the Gameboy Advance SP. But proving the influence of their music, Strict Machine, which was released as the album's second single in July 2003 would later be used in 2006 as the advertising sound track for LG's mobile phone, Chocolate.

As a result, Black Cherry saw Goldfrapp's live shows becoming more extravagant and saw the duo grow confidently into their now well-established creditability and fame.

Confidently moving from ambient-chillout to exquisite electro-pop to synth-powered ballands, Black Cherry is a great return from the eternally electronic duo.

Christina Warner, HMV Wimbledon

• Rolling Stone (5/15/03, p.134) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Both retro and futuristic, like vintage synth pop heard through a wall of disortion..."
  Spin (5/03, p.116) - "...Singer Alison Goldfrapp still wails like Kate Bush haunting a fog-soaked moor..." - Grade: B
  Mojo (5/03, p.91) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...[Goldfrapp] possess a masterful ear for stirring melodies, a healthy carnality and a furtive sense of humour that makes for rich, three-dimensional, six-sensual pop music that raises them high above many contemporaries..."
  Uncut (6/03, p.98) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Electro-funky and headily lovely, 'Crystalline Green' is just one of the album's several masterpieces..."
  Magnet (4/03, p.88) - "...The synths are dank and gloomy, and Goldfrapp's sad-girl voice sounds suitably disembodied and ethereal..."
  CMJ (5/503, p.10) - "...The mesmerizing arctic chill of FELT MOUNTAIN is gone, replaced instead with the leather, mascara, beats and muscle of BLACK CHERRY..."

Second album by unique and slightly sinister indie-dance duo, following 2000's 'Felt Mountain'. Eerily hypnotic and occasionally menacing, their sound combines folk, jazz, 60s pop, Weimar cabaret and trip-hop and tops off the eclectic mix with Alison Goldfrapp's otherwordly vocals. Includes the single 'Train'.

Goldfrapp: Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory.
Additional personnel: Adrian Utley (guitar, bass); Andy Davis (guitar); Mark Linkous (synthesizer); Charlie Jones (bass); Rowen Oliver (drums, percussion); Damon Reece (drums); Nick Batt, Rowan Oliver (programming).

Alison Goldfrapp first gained notoriety for her astonishing vocal work on albums by Tricky and techno duo Orbital. She joined forces with composer Will Gregory in the late 1990s to create her own moody, sensual version of contemporary electronica. With a succession of critically lauded albums, the duo honed their approach and utilised an assortment of influences ranging from traditional soundtrack themes and vintage pop to '80s synth sounds, disco, and glam rock to create one of the most intriguing and satisfying electronica hybrids to emerge from the genre since its inception.