Track Listing

1. Laura
2. Take Your Mama Out
3. Comfortably Numb
4. Mary
5. Lovers In The Backseat
6. Tits On The Radio
7. Filthy/Gorgeous
8. Music Is The Victim
9. Better Luck Next Time
10. It Can't Come Quickly Enough
11. Return To Oz
12. A Message From Ms Matronic
13. The Skins
14. Get It Get It

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9464 in Music
• Released on: 2004-02-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Special Edition, Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Those dismissing the self-titled Scissor Sisters as a product of New York's latest fad band are jumping to conclusions. Yes, there's a certain cabaret aspect to what they do, but that's not to dismiss them as frivolous nightclub entertainment. That's only half the story. "Comfortably Numb" may have nodded to gay disco but this eclectic bunch of fashionistas have more interesting reference points tucked up their puff sleeves. If anything, the prevailing mood here is sunny AM rock, the kind of thing you might have tuned into in 70s New Jersey. "Take Your Mamma Out", perhaps the first song about coming out to your mother in a gay club, and sung by Jake Shears like primetime Elton, is a cracker. So too "Tits on the Radio"--slick barroom boogie that takes a venomous swipe at New York's increasing conservatism. Best here, though, is the anthemic "It Can't Come Quickly Enough", a retro carve-up of Nick Kershaw and the Pet Shop Boys that's more powerful than it sounds. Ignore it at your peril. --Paul Tierney

CD Description
This is the debut album from five piece New York outfit Scissor Sisters. Formed by lead singer Jake Shears and multi-instrumentalist Babydaddy the band play a bizarre mix of New York punk and glam rock while being heavily influenced by thelikes of Roxy Music and David Bowie through to Giorgio Moroder and even rock operas. The singles 'Laura' and the Pink Floyd cover 'Comfortably Numb' are also included.

Customer Reviews

Blast from the Past, Present and Future
Looking at the Sisters, apart from being at the cutting edge of independent fashion today (as dictated predominantly by the gay scene), it reminds me of the 80's new romantic era... accentuated by these songs of 70's and 80's styles. It's everything you've read before - Elton John ('Take Your Mama Out' and 'Mary'), David Bowie ('Return To Oz'), Bee Gees ('Comfortably Numb'), Pet Shop Boys ('It Cant Come Quickly Enough') all mixed up with a little hint of Michael Jackson's now famous "shamon" ('Laura').
There is an incredible range of vocal and musical styles. Each song is different - and it really does sound like a compilation of different bands from different eras (with today's glossy production techniques).

The thing is this: It's not done for a quick camp laugh, nor to parody the obvious influences.

The amazing thing is this: It works. Brilliantly.

This work is a homage to artists when they were at the top of their game. It's a band that truly love the past and don't think it's ready to be forgotten.

One of the most original, stylish, surprising, funny, moving records for some time. I really didn't think I'd like this album as much as I do. It was an impulse purchase solely on hearing 'Comfortably Numb' (which I didn't like AT ALL the first time I heard it, but took over my head by stealth) and it was the best buy I've made in... well, a week or two (Snow Patrol's album also was a great purchase), but that's not the point! This is a wonderful album that will blow you away.

Highly recommended!

fabulous, duckie
On the strength of Comfortably Numb, I was going to boycot this album. Fortunately for me, I heard it played in it's entirety while chained to the chair in my hair salon and promptly ran out and bought it - have been playing it ad nauseum ever since. It is a fantastic collection of danceable tracks whatever your mood, be it for 70's rock or electro-pop, and the lyrics take some beating. Feel good factor is high, but there are some gorgeous ballads on it as well. Can't come quickly enough and Return to Oz have been set to repeat on my cd player! They have a swiftly expanding fan base which is well deserved, as they provide a welcome change to the cardboard copies that are the boy-and-girl bands of the moment. Do yourself a favour and BUY THIS ALBUM!

Sister Lovers
Seldom can there have been an album of such diversity as this one, from New York glam-throwbacks the Scissor Sisters. This can be viewed as both a strength and a weakness, and no doubt the multi-genre approach will confuse some whilst appealing to others. The album kicks off with the funky "Laura", and is followed by the energetic radio-friendly "Take Your Mama". This is classic early era Elton John along the lines of "Take Me To The Pilot", and when Jake Shears launches into the falsetto chorus you could be forgiven for thinking that Elton himself is making an appearance on vocals. Then, just when you think you know where you stand with the album, the Sisters' musical boundaries are completely redefined with the gay-disco-inspired reworking of Pink Floyd's immortal "Comfortably Numb". Your view of this one will probably depend on how highly you regard the original, but even the most die-hard Floyd fans must admit that it's kinda catchy. "Mary" is a classic slow rocker built around a deep swelling piano line, with echoes of Spandeau Ballet thrown in just to further the confusion. "Tits On The Radio" with its wry lyrics and seventies disco setting is guaranteed to make you smile, and "Music Is the Victim" sounds like the Stones fused with a heavy dose of Saturday Night Fever. And just when you thought there was nothing left to give, you are treated to the ambitious "Return To Oz". With disarmingly obscure lyrics and eerie melodies the song builds into a compelling finale, and though you have no idea what they are singing about, somehow it doesn't really matter. Either something for everyone, or an album too diverse for the average music fan. But therein lies the beauty. Crazy, camp, colourful, and well worth adding to your collection.