REVIEW: DRAGONETTE - FIXIN TO THRILL

Toronto electro-pop outfit Dragonette made a bit of a splash on the blogs two years ago to this day with their stunning debut Galore. Unfortunately, Campaign Dragonette had run out of steam by the time it would count most on that album's release day. A series of premature online leaks of the full album months prior and some internal label politics had hindered its commercial success.

The online community is still very much in love with Dragonette and the band has been reciprocating in offering a series of videos as well as their first single as a free download via blogs. The band's sophomore effort Fixin To Thrill however, doesn't quite live up to the promise shown on their first album. This is not to say that there isn't a noticeable maturity in songcrafting because this can be heard loud and clear. Galore had a concept. It was consistently fearless, glamorous and shocking. Frontwoman Martina Sorbara was a bad girl, yet we rooted for her and felt sad for her in her heartbroken journey. This album is '80s-obsessed, edgier and much more introspective. The collection of songs showcases the band as being about more than just sex and sass, but perhaps this a sign of them still searching for a voice.


There are a number of bright moments on the album and second single Pick Up The Phone shines brightest of all in the same light as The Killers at their finest. Liar possesses some of that dangerous femme fatale we have come to love in Sorbara. Easy is beautiful in its truth that sometimes we fall for the ones who keep us on edge most, versus simply being with those who make life simple for us. We Rule The World takes the focus back to fun, reminding us of Vincent Clarke's (Erasure, Yazoo, Depeche Mode) realm of synth-pop perfection; the gorgeous Goldfrapp-like string line is the perfect adornment. Don't Be Funny shares similarities in structure to their earlier single Competition and this is a good thing.

Preview Pick Up The Phone courtesy of Universal Music Canada below:


Dragonette will definitely be around for a good while longer and despite being slightly underwhelmed with Fixin To Thrill, I am fully rooting for them. To read an interview I did with them earlier this year, visit our friends at Electroqueer. The album was released via Universal Music Canada here today and will be released in America on October 27, 2009. For additional release and tour dates, visit their Myspace page. Grade: B+