Alison Moyet
The Minutes
Release Date: Jun 11, 2013
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
Record label: Metropolis
Music Critic Score
How the Music Critic Score works
Buy The Minutes from Amazon
Album Review: The Minutes by Alison Moyet
Very Good, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
After a reunion tour with Yaz and an appearance as Mama Morton in the West End production of the musical Chicago, Alison Moyet released The Minutes, her first recording in six years. Produced and co-conceived with producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna, Björk, Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette), this set marks the first time Moyet has embraced an entirely electronic palette since the 1980s. And while her electro roots are on full display here, this is not an exercise in nostalgia.
Based on rating 4
While recording the minutes, her first solo album since 2007’s The Turn, Alison Moyet said she avoided listening to any music beyond the studio, so concerned was she that outside influences may push her vocals and music in unwanted directions. Instead, she wholly entrusted herself to the hugely versatile songwriter-producer Guy Sigsworth, famed for his work with Imogen Heap (Frou Frou), Björk and Madonna. Indeed, even before listening, the minutes seems more of a paired effort than a purely solo one for Moyet – Sigsworth co-wrote and produced the entire album.
Based on rating 7/10
the minutes contains phat London beats, innit, which could surprise the average Alison Moyet fan. I don’t wanna amp it up, but it’s bangin’, and I doubt the rents will get it. It should probably be listened to loud on your cans to get total sonic immersion, walking down the street in new 110s. But really it shouldn’t be that surprising because Moyet started off in the Vandals, hitting mainstream success in the ‘80s with Yazoo, and the latter was very much programmed music.
Based on rating 3/5
On her last album, 2007’s The Turn, Moyet was in classic torch mode, delivering a set of songs steeped in orchestral pop grandeur and blue-eyed soul. The synth-laden hues of the minutes, however, pulls off the neat trick of both reconnecting to the electro of her first records with Yazoo and embracing 21st Century club culture. Co-writing with producer Guy Sigsworth (whose credits include Björk, Goldie and Robyn), Moyet sets off down some daring paths, investigating breakbeats on Changeling and bass-driven dance minimalism on Love Reign Supreme.
'The Minutes'
is available now