Neon Neon - Stainless Style
There are certain occasions when you hear of a musical project so beguiling that you are immediately enticed by the prospect of hearing the results, because it sounds such a completely demented, yet stupendously fantastic concept. Super Furry Animals have long specialised in such slices of neo-psychedelic pop madness. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that this collaboration between Furries mainman Gruff Rhys and electro producer Boom Bip (aka Bryan Hollon), a man once lauded by John Peel as a “modern day Captain Beefheart”; produces what will undoubtedly come to be recognised as one of the year’s most gloriously eclectic albums.
‘Stainless Style’ shifts effortlessly from saccharine sweet power pop songs reminiscent of eighties luminaries such as The Cars to ambient, Balearic beats evocative of Giorgio Moroder whilst also taking in the sleaziest elements of hip-hop and crunk. Yet, that is only half the story; whilst it is undeniable that the sonic delights found within the album alone are worthy of high praise, the fact that the project itself was inspired and is wholly based around the life story of International playboy car manufacturer John DeLorean is what makes Neon Neon’s debut such a intriguing, absorbing listen. DeLorean was a fascinating, divisive and controversial character who rose rapidly through the ranks of the American automobile industry through the 1960s gaining a taste for supermodels, celebrity, self promotion and a jet setting lifestyle along the way. However, the dream soured as DeLorean’s free spirited reputation and eccentric behaviour brought him into conflict with a diverse array of luminaries within the motor trade, the British government and most notably the FBI.
Aspects and nuances of DeLorean’s life are investigated throughout using a variety of musical approaches, ‘Dream Cars’ is a lucid, wistful melodic mantra about life in the “Motor City” of Detroit. ‘Raquel’, a paean to Raquel Welch one of the numerous A-list celebrities who DeLorean dated is a standout; constructed cleverly around an entrancing electronic soundtrack and delightful melodies and harmonies from Rhys. Yet, ‘Stainless Style’ is not all melodic sweetness, the album contains many sonic twists and veers into the darker moments of DeLorean’s lifestyle. The chillingly inhumane love song, “I Lust U” lifts the lid on the sham of celebrity marriage, containing lyrics which although written in reference to 1970s Hollywood resonate with perhaps even greater relevance today: “Staring from the cover of a magazine; selling our souls for the highest fee. And I lust you if the price is right”.
The musical diversity of the project is an absolute joy to behold, in addition to the substantial talent of one of Britain’s favourite eccentrics (Rhys); Boom Bip has also managed to secure the services of a cavalcade of musical mavericks including Har Mar Superstar (his cameo on the superbly sordid ‘Trick for Treat’ is something of a treat), Fat Lip, Yo Majesty and Spank Rock. The result of such a mesmerizing melting pot of influences stands both as one of the most inspired madcap collaborations in some time, and as one of the freshest, gloriously difficult to pigeon hole releases of the year so far.