RIYL- Scissor Sisters, Metro Station, the Bee Gees, “Midnight Vultures”-era Beck
Polish transplant Matt Gorny is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who records disco flavored dance-pop under the moniker “The Specimen”. Now based in Brooklyn, Gorny released a 6 song EP, “Do U Damage” in 2006 and quickly followed up with the “Do U Damage” remixes in 2007, mostly riding on the popularity of his “Do U Damage” single. Anyone sensing a pattern here? While the original EP stands up well to the usual suspects in modern dance-pop, the remixes will seem misguided for all but the most devoted fans.
The original version of “Do U Damage” serves up a catchy amalgam of indie-pop and dance with fuzzed guitar chords and call-and-response style lyrics. Over generous hand claps and a New-Wave synth line, Gorny keeps things light, repeating the mantra “I wanna’/ I wanna’ get close to you/ I wanna’ do do/ Do do you damage.” Catchy as it may be, there’s barely enough substance here to carry the remixes, and so the 5 do-overs that make their way onto the remix EP will likely fall flat without the generous use of rave-friendly substances.
“Hot Stuff” cranks up the Euro-disco, and depending on how you felt about Beck’s “Midnight Vultures” LP, you’ll either love it or hate it. This isn’t topical music, its just dumb dance-floor fun with sexed up talk of getting the “money shot” and someone’s “hot stuff” being “so hot”. Indeed.
Ditto for “Move Like That”, a rhythmic come-on that cops the slinky vibe of Kelis’ “Milkshake” and grinds its way through some well-intentioned dirty talk over a clipped guitar sample and exotic beats. Gorny even attempts a remake of Rod Stewarts’ “Do ya’ Think I’m Sexy?” but it doesn’t pan out and the party quickly winds down from there.
All things considered, The Specimen definitely have a knack for polished song smithing, and “Do U Damage” is a promising debut. With a new full-length in the works, those with intentions for the dance floor should stay tuned.
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More Information
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http://www.myspace.com/thespecimen
http://www.peacebisquit.com
