California's Xiu Xiu has been making their original brand of indie-pop since their formation in 2000. The band is the brainchild of vocalist Jamie Stewart, whose experimental leanings have pushed the music toward its current standing -- that is, an odd blend of avant-garde instrumentals, electronica, twee-pop catchiness and disheartened lyrics.
Though Xiu Xiu's lyrical subject matter has always possessed a dark twist, 2006's The Air Force saw the band taking an even grimmer dive. The album was released Sept. 12 and acted as a sort of five-year anniversary tribute to the Sept. 11 attacks. The music of The Air Force, their fifth album proper, was increasingly sparse and downplayed. Songwriter Stewart seemed to be using the music's silent spaces to communicate his sorrow.
So after The Air Force, 2008's Women As Lovers finds the band creating a sonic comeback, incorporating more explosive, harsh and dense noise than ever before. The band seems to enforce this new sound with the opening track, "I Do What I Want When I Want," whose title acts as a testament to the Xiu Xiu musical approach. The song uses drum-machine beats layered over with guitars, vocals, xylophones, saxophones, bells and sound distortions.
The following track, "In Lust You Can Hear the Axe Fall," is one of the harshest the band has ever recorded. Crashing drums and screeching instruments are complemented by wailed lyrics about abusive sex: "Slit 'make me' into your breast / And crush an ashtray into your breast / Oh Mouchette can you hear? / Can you hear the axe fall?"
Women As Lovers also finds room for some poppy tunes. "No Friend Oh!" is the album's "single" -- if there is one -- with its catchy, trumpet-blasted chorus. Then halfway through the album, Xiu Xiu does one of the last things expected of them with a surprisingly straightforward interpretation of Queen/David Bowie's "Under Pressure." Swans bandleader Michael Gira makes a special appearance for this cover, playing Bowie's part as Stewart takes the role of Freddie Mercury. This song may surprise some old fans, but give it a chance. It's worth it.
Following the shock and confusion fans will no doubt be feeling with "Under Pressure," Xiu Xiu takes a downswing with two of the album's most downtrodden tracks. "Black Keyboard" and "Master of the Bump" are both acoustic guitar pieces that mark a softer, more beautiful moment for the album.
The remainder of the album finds some more highlights. "You Are Pregnant You, You Are Dead" is an almost clear-cut rocker, complete with live drums, guitar riffs and dual vocals by Stewart and his cousin/band-mate Caralee McElroy. "Puff and Bunny" is a gentler track on which Stewart sings directly into the microphone, giving the impression that he is speaking closely to your ear (a little creepy). "Gayle Lynn," the closer, may be the strongest track. It builds to layers of strings, brass and electronics that make it the most epic song the band has ever penned. And, ending on this high note, Women As Lovers very well may be the strongest album by Xiu Xiu yet.
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