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Dani Siciliano - Slappers (K7)
UK release date: 4 September 2006
4 stars
Dani Siciliano - Slappers

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track listing

1. Slappers
2. Didn't Anybody Tell You
3. They Can Wait
4. Why Can't I Make You High
5. Frozen
6. Too Young
7. Think Twice
8. Big Time
9. Repeats
10. Wifey
11. Be My Producer

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A provocative title for the second album of Matthew Herbert's partner and long time vocalist, one that brings to mind the directness of Peaches. As you'd expect though, Siciliano proves to be rather more subtle in her music and lyrical execution.

You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her though. There's definitely a hint of menace in the quieter vocals here, whether intended or not - not a woman you'd think of messing with. Even her more obvious come-ons - and you can't get much more direct than Didn't Anybody Tell You where she coos "get off, get off on me" - are startling in their effect.

On top of this is her highly original way with production. Electronic music for sure, but several mediums have been considered and filter their way into the consciousness - blues, soul, country even. The influence of Herbert runs throughout - that is, until you remember Siciliano and Herbert have long been mutually influential, so she deserves rather more recognition than she gets! His credit as an additional producer implies more than a backroom role, but for the subtle electronic brushes dressing much of Slappers Siciliano can get the credit for the original noises coming out of mixing desk and sampler.

Like Herbert, Siciliano tends to utilise electronic manipulations of acoustic material. Though seemingly stopping short of battery chickens and crunching apples this time, there's more imagination to be found in the choice of sources. They Can Wait uses vocal samples from an American high school, channelled through drummer Leo Taylor's kit. My Producer is a great in-joke between Siciliano and Herbert, with Dani's self-produced track entirely using beats sampled from her own voice. On the title track, all recording artists present slap their asses for extra sampling material - quite literally, a load of arse.

The electronic wizardry is never used for the sake of display though, and always adds something essential to the music. In no way is this over-produced, and the subtlety of the counter melodies is often astonishing, as in what sounds like a filtered, flutter-tongued flute in a fuzzy distorted clothing for They Can Wait.

She's the female equivalent to Herbert for sure, but with her own strong personality firmly stamped on this record, her original thoughts laid out in what becomes a surprisingly intimate, thought provoking and occasionally startling listen.


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