Up

Album Review

If you've never heard anything by Right Said Fred apart from their worldwide mega-hit "I'm Too Sexy," then you are missing out on one of the best dance-pop bands of this generation. To base your opinion of the band on that one song is like judging the Beatles' entire catalog by repeated listenings to a song like "Yellow Submarine." Sure, it's fun and catchy, but there is so much more to the band than that one piece of pop fluff. Up, RSF's full-length debut, features a handful of European hits, including the aforementioned "I'm Too Sexy," their humorous yet misunderstood swipe at self-centered male bodybuilders and models. Thankfully, there is absolutely nothing else on Up that sounds remotely like "I'm Too Sexy." Instead, RSF bring some delightful bits of dancefloor-filling pop songs that are heavy on memorable hooks and gorgeous melodies. Vocalist Richard Fairbrass, guitarist Fred Fairbrass, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Manzoli offer slices of pop filled with bits of disco, glam, rock, country, and other unexpected influences. "Do Ya Feel" is a heavy glam stomper that could fill a dancefloor in seconds flat, while their U.K. number one hit, "Deeply Dippy," leans heavily on acoustic guitar and a swinging brass section. "Don't Talk Just Kiss," another hit single for the trio, is a delectable slice of '90s disco featuring guest vocals from Jocelyn Brown. Even better, "Swan" and "Love for All Seasons" take the disco formula straight to the pop charts, infectious as a cold and harder to shake. "Upon My Heart" and "Those Simple Things" are love-smitten pop songs of the first form. The only slight misstep is "Is It True," which doesn't seem to go anywhere once it starts. All in all, a fantastic debut that was ignored because of one huge hit. This also remains the Freds' only U.S. release.