NME has a knack of pontifically awarding fatuous titles to artists. None more so than with the self-aggrandisement Pop Levi, ex-Ladytron bass player, filmmaker, producer and solo artist, whom -according to NME at least- is “a true cult hero”. The status of cult hero takes some living up to, which I’m afraid isn’t in evidence on this double A-side.
More theatrical and pouting, than hardcore, Levi‘s scuzzed-up, sleazy rock’n’roll postulations is reminiscent of Red Patient Leather era New York Dolls, as fronted by Prince. His latest wired, faux-electro, growling single, ‘Motorcycle 666’ crosses a Satanic steered version of Goose with the soulful lilting of T-Rex, to create a crazy tale of esoteric possessed, leather-clad chicks and bikes.
Levi continues the loose hell-ride to the stars, on the lampooning glitter-trash ‘Rock Solid’ (NME had this one up as their single of the week); a barely veiled Silver Machine pastiche of bruiser riffs, panting tension, and distorted phaser guitar effects.
Despite the mythology and salacious language, Pop Levi‘s “twisted rock vision” is disappointingly tame: neither edgy nor dangerous, but just a bit of fun.
Out Now
[Rating:3]
