Album Reviews

Critics are probably not supposed to like the kind of retro-kitsch proffered by The Puppini Sisters, a trio of unrelated gals based in the UK, though one of them, Marcella is a Puppini, or at least goes by the name.

The trio traffics in The Andrews Sisters’ sound, which it does extremely well, giving it the extra push needed to grow it beyond parody or imitation. That saves this from being groan-inducing and “cutsie,” especially given the novelty act-like covers of “Heart of Glass,” and “I Will Survive,” though I have to admit they too are enjoyable, as are the unlikely takes on Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” and The Smiths’ “Panic.”

“The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (covered here) jump-started Bette Midler’s career back in the ‘70s, so why not this? The arrangements, some by group members, are smartly acoustic (there’s even a glass harmonica, an Onde Martenau on one track), the production is almost sumptuous and the sound is quite good.

The A&R work is also eclectic, covering the above-mentioned tunes plus classics like Irving Berlin’s “Sisters,” The Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman,” (producer Benöit Charest’s manly turn is funny) “Jeepers Creepers” and “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” (the last word of which they pronounce oddly as “shown” instead of “shane” so it doesn’t rhyme with “explain”) as well as more unusual fare that you’ll have to discover for yourself.

Even the sound is “retro” (as in good), with warm, vivid bass (check out that room pressurizing monster kick drum!) and minimal evident processing, especially in the compression department. There is actual “old fashioned” dynamic range, and the use of good microphones (and microphone technique) is obvious throughout. Even the choice of Ray Staff as mastering engineer shows good taste !

Everything about this project exudes “smarts” and taste. Even the American release date (May 1st, 2007) is smart, with Mother’s and Father’s Day coming up. This is a disc you can safely gift to mom, dad, grandma, granddad and your big sister too. They’ll love it, and they’ll thank you.

Highly entertaining, smartly arranged, performed, produced and recorded, The Puppini Sisters are a class act that gets away with murder. I’m reminded of The Sex Pistols of nostalgia for some reason, though everyone here can play and sing and how.