The Canadian-turned-Berliner queen of smut hits back with her fourth album, full of the same nasty themes and driving loops we’ve come to expect from our lady Peaches. Two cuts into it, “Talk To Me” gets everything kicking right in full rock fashion. Maybe Peaches is putting in a little more effort when she lets go on the refrain, ’cause her voice sounds much improved on this one. Missy Elliot and Lil’ Kim step off, “Billionaire” is a straight-out hardcore flow backed by a bumpin’ bass beat that makes anything they’ve done sound like the banter at a Girl Scouts weenie roast. All things considered, there really is nothing new here. The production value still isn’t beyond upscale garage studio, but that has always been part of the appeal, at least for my ears. I don’t need a million clean dubbed tracks to get my ass in gear. Just give me “Show Stopper” or “Mommy Complex” with its dirty dance club vibe and a splash or two of whatever is on special, and I’m ready to hit the floor. Unfortunately, the lazy and not so inventive “Mud” doesn’t have the same appeal.
The title track, along with “I Don’t Want To Lose You,” are more redemptive and a bit sweeter, exposing a kind of late-night, lo-fi vulnerability that effectively breaks up the mix. The whole album does beg the question: Has Peaches’ shtick been exhausted now that we’re not so shocked by her bawdy sexual posturing? Maybe. No matter, this isn’t the kind of music that warrants excessive critiquing. Either you want to have fun with her and let that little slut in you out to breathe or you don’t.
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