Album Review: Scissor Sisters – Night Work

Scissor Sisters – Night Work

Night Work is the third album from New York disco rockers Scissor Sisters. I’ve heard many people say it’s their best yet, so I thought I’d take a listen myself. I saw Scissor Sisters live a few years ago and they were half-impressive. Their hits really shone, but apart from that, their show was lacking. So I was hoping for plenty of new hits from Night Work to add to the likes of ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘Laura’, ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Kiss You Off’, ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ and ‘Tits on the Radio’.

Their latest record starts off very dancey with the old-school beats of the title track. It’s straight from the 80s and although a decent tune, nowhere near the classic status of those hits I mentioned above. However, the second tune, ‘Whole New Way’, a slower pop number, is much more impressive. It won’t fill the dancefloor, but is perfect for those slower need-a-rest moments at live shows. It’s a sweet groovy tune with an impressive guitar riff.

Lead single ‘Fire With Fire’ sounds like it could be an Elton John offshoot (Sir Elton is one of Jake Shears’ biggest inspirations), albeit the second half is obviously the remixed version. It’s a missed opportunity, as the singles should be the main selling point for the album. ‘Fire With Fire’ is no ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’. Not half the song that one was.

‘Any Which Way’ is more impressive with its sirens and cowbells, as well as Jake’s best castrato singing. It’s far more like the Scissor Sisters we know and love. It has a wonderful 80s synthpop-aping chorus, and sounds like an instant roller disco hit. The grimy ‘Harder You Get’ could well be another single, and if so, expect the video to be set in an abandoned warehouse where all sorts of depravity is occurring.

As with every other album now, there seems to be a Talking Heads style track. Here’s the unstoppable ‘Running Out’. It’s infectious, and just keeps getting better with every listen. ‘Sex and Violence’ is straight from the Pet Shop Boys songbook, and is just as good as you’d hope. ‘Night Life’ nods its garish cap to A-Ha, and is exhaustingly danceable.

There’s plenty of duds here however. The album isn’t in the same league as the band’s debut, but is on a par with the follow-up Ta-Dah. ‘Something Like This’ sounds like a bad version of a Chromeo song, ‘Skin This Cat’ is dismal, and closer ‘Invisible Light’ suffers from overtrying and being three minutes too long.

It’s not a classic album, and I doubt they’ll make anything as good as their debut again. However, if they can churn out another record or two like this, complete with floor-filling singles, their live show will be unmissable.

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2. Setlist: Scissor Sisters, Olympia, 20 June 2010
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