Music
Frankmusik: 'Complete Me'
Released on Monday, Aug 3 2009
Published Friday, Aug 7 2009, 10:00 BST | By David Balls | 15 comments
Under the guidance of producer Stuart Price, the Frankmusik sound has been streamlined into a smart, seamless mix of synths, beats and jagged melodies. Heralding the change is recent single 'Confusion Girl', once a frantic and off-beat floor-filler, but now a glossy, radio-friendly number that manages to retain much of the original's flair. Likewise, 'Gotta Boyfriend' and '3 Little Words' may have been through the drier since first appearing online, but the quirky, almost crazed essence that gave Frankmusik his initial cult popularity remains.
What helps Complete Me to stand out from the glut of electropop records currently dominating the charts is the powerful emotional undercurrent that binds it together - this is very much a break-up record, and it's very much therapy for Frank. 'Vacant Heart' is the sort of power ballad that most male popstars would struggle to pull of convincingly; the dark, brooding 'Run Away From Trouble' finds the artist at his most emotionally raw, and 'Complete Me', with its bombastic falsetto hook, compares his break-up to the world collapsing in.
Best of all, the balance between Frank's unflinching emotional honesty and the crazed, chaotic production on the upbeat moments gives this record - without sounding too cheesy - a complete feel. The blood, sweat and tears that clearly went into making it have paid off for Frankmusik, who proves that beyond all his other talents, he makes a bloody good popstar too.
> Click here to watch Frankmusik perform 'Confusion Girl' and '3 Little Words' for DS Sessions
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15 Comments
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A good, enjoyable album
This guy is about as talented as a bowl of tomato soup. Just pointless in everyway
Really listenable, each track is standout <3
I thought I wouldn't like this as it's got quite a heavy electronic sound, but after a first listen it's got potential. I reckon it's one of those that will grow on me with a few listens.
This is a crap album, terrible!
Vincent. This is a superb debut. Love it. The NME are completely wrong and not for the first time!
Really?? Im surprised by this review because I had a quick listen to the album and wasnt impressed but because so many ppl are praising it Im gonna go back and have an proper listen. I doubt Ill warm to the absolutely terrible "Confusion Girl" though!
Fabulous. A masterpiece of an album.
I reeally like Frankmusik, and I like that DS have supported him for a long time, but I think that you have given him a bit of an easy ride. Complete Me is a very good album, but he has lost a bit of his original flare since signing to Island. Still, from what I understand he is still going to carry on remixing now that he is a 'popstar' and I hope he doesn't lose sight of his roots. But good work for this album, it's pretty brilliant.
I 1st saw Frankmusik over a year ago when he was supporting Sam Sparro and instantly took a liking to his electropop style and quirky lyrics. The album doesn't disappoint, there's something for everyone and it's definitely the album of the summer if not the year. There's not one filler on the it. Time Will Tell is my favourite, a stomping beat taking samples from MARRS' Pump Up The Volume. La Roux? More La Who??
Brilliant review. I've admired Vince for a long time and am so glad he's come to the forefront with the album release. Even though many of the songs are drasticaly different,the album flows together as a whole and sounds lovely. Vince's voice is on top form on the album too. Just excellent!
Lies, all lies!
Waited months for this. Absolutely did not disappoint.
The album of the year so far for me. Instantly thrilling and full of killer tunes with a perfect balance between the ballads and upbeat tracks. I think it might be an aquired taste for some and might want to make some people run for the hills because for all the electropop out there at the moment there is nothing quite like this, but it really does deserve to be huge.
Matt from Leeds, have you actually heard any of his album tracks other than his singles? If so - regardless of whether you like the genre or not - youhave to admit he's a bloody good singer, a bloody good songwriter & a bloody good producer (He produced & remixed Re-Complete Me, disc 2 of the Deluxe Edition)... I understand if you do not like his style of music - I mean, if I'm honest, I barely know how to label him myself, but to imply that he is talentless is taking things a bit far... Anyway, back to the album itself, I think it's absolutely stellar, with brilliant tunes to set you up on a Saturday night, or just to listen to when you feel like a pick-me-up. I personally think he's borderline genius... Plus he's bloody gorgeous... ;)