Felix da Housecat - DevinDazzle and the Neon Fever

Wed 28th Jul, 2004 in Music Reviews

There’s no denying the rush upon first hearing Silver Screen Shower Scene from Felix da Housecat’s Kittenz and Thee Glitz of a couple o’ years ago. It managed to, in barely a few minutes (with the help of the delectable Miss Kittin), drag electronic music out from its own arse and back onto the dance floor.

Last year’s Bugged Out Mix sought to return Felix back to the safety of the rectum; it was hardly the life-affirming disc of its predecessor though it did shed further light on the internal workings of the man. The kids began to wonder, when word spread of the new album, would Felix return to his 80s house roots, having spurred on the one-month trend we now refer to as Electroclash? Or would he try something new?

Devin Dazzle and The Neon Fever is not a million miles removed from Kittenz and Thee Glitz. In fact, it shares the same post code. It could almost be a volume two, with one important difference – this time the record features a live band.

Rocket Ride and the Peaches-esque Short Skirts (“high heels to break your back… short skirts to make you horny”) are the most noteable gems, let’s get that straight from the outset. Stacked at the front of the album as they are, the tend to overbalance the rest of the disc – which taken without the sugar overdose of the aforementioned songs does flow as a consistent work. It’s even meant to run as a narrative of sorts: Devin Dazzle could be code for Felix, and The Neon Fever is the nightlife.

The Neon Fever is also the name of the all-girl group on the album. You could say da Cat is playing Spector to their Ronettes, and that wouldn’t be too shy of the mark. Felix seems to revel most in orchestrating the talent of others. Or perhaps, to return to Earth for just a moment, he produces records on which the best work is that of others whom he has talent-scouted like a true electro A&R man. Who gives a fuck about who did what with who, let’s call it even as say the end result is the kinda party record that few artists are making these days.

Read Devin Dazzle as his Sgt. Pepper (overblown, slightly pretentious, but a lotta fun) or his Bobby (futuristic comic book) Digital phase, despite the fact that Felix da Housecat – as his very name suggests – has always been dressing up and playing roles. And there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fancy dress. True, it ain’t Shakespeare, but fuck it: no one reads that sorry ol’ Bard no more.