On a school night, part deux: Peaches is the business
The purpose of a music blog, one supposes, is to update frequently, preferably as things happen or as soon after they happen as possible. That’s always my intent, but then life happens.
So here I am, almost a week after the fact, telling you about the show I saw in Toronto last Wednesday. Sorry, but that’s how it goes sometimes!
Anyhoo!
Peaches feels cream. Or at least, that’s what her new album, I Feel Cream, would have you believe. I don’t know if feeling cream means she’s feeling more mellow these days, but Peaches’ new release is definitely a little less… raw than her previous efforts and that’s not at all bad. She’s employing some restraint in her songs without sacrificing any of the blatant sexuality and rampant swearing that has made her famous. And if this album is lacking the bombastic oomph of her earlier stuff, it makes up for it with its all-around vibe of an artist coming into her own in an entirely new way. I read a review of Peaches’ Fatherfucker that claimed she sounded bored singing about sex, which is too bad since that’s her bread and butter. The reviewer went on to say Impeach My Bush was a huge improvement over that earlier effort. I worry that some will think I Feel Cream is similarly “boring” because she isn’t screaming “Fuck the Pain Away.”
I think her musical progression can be looked at in the way you look at sex. It’s like, the more sex you have, the better you become at it. Peaches is a woman who knows her sex. She does it all the ways. And this time out, it’s like she’s in a steady relationship that’s healthy and exciting and the sexy is dirty and fun and mutually satisfying on the deepest levels. It’s also more subtle and stealthy and knowing. There’s a slyness to it that I think comes from being very, very good at what she does and a certain soulfulness behind the barked lyrics that comes through strong in her singing.
And besides, BOY does she know how to please with her live shows! They’re sexual, screwy, loud and all-around fun for those of us who would otherwise have no place to wear our hot pants and fishnets. It’s interesting to listen to the album and then hear her live. Her shows tease and build and explode into an orgasmic delight of lazers and costumes and chanted calls for the removal of clothing.
The mid-week show at the Phoenix was a hometown visit for Peaches, who was once an elementary school music teacher, and the crowd showed its appreciation early and often. Especially when she got her parents on stage. Mr. and Mrs. Peaches looked happy to be there, standing beside their daughter, who was, at the time, resplendent in gold chains and a white body suit under a pair of HUGE fake breasts. Then she bid them adieu, like “Bye mom and dad! I have to sing about fuckin’ now.”
Peaches with her mom and dad at the Phoenix in Toronto.
But I digress. Her set was a fine, sweaty mix of old and new tunes. I can’t pretend I love I Feel Cream as much as I love Impeach My Bush, but it’s still a solid entry into her discography and this shizz sounds great live. Trust me, she did two encores because we just wouldn’t leave! I danced and danced and shook my tail around like it was on fire! And when it was all over, I felt like I needed a damn cigarette.
During the course of the show, I also decided that I have to figure out how to make balloon animals, because at one point, she came out riding a motorcycle made entirely of balloons. So if I can get a job making elaborate balloon animal set pieces for raunchy rock stars, surely I will be set for life.
Opener Amanda Blank was all about winding it tight and watching it explode. I don’t want to say that women who rap are rare, because I just don’t know enough about them. But I feel pretty safe in saying that women who rap that well are given short shrift. I don’t even know if I can put M.I.A. and Santigold in the same category as her. They’re very good at what they do, but Amanda Blank is rapping for realsies. She’s the Mayo to the Miracle Whip of sundry other rappers and she will not tone it down. I wish to hell I could find the version of Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” she spit out at the show.
Until then, I’m happy to listen to her album, I Love You, available on iTunes. Meanwhile, Peaches’ album, I Feel Cream is also available on iTunes and her online store, where you can and should purchase the rest of her albums. The business, yo. She’s the business.
Peaches - Talk To Me: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Peaches - Boys Wanna Be Her: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Peaches - Fuck the Pain Away: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Amanda Blank - Make It Take It : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
