The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
[Memphis Industries]

Turning their backs on the last forty years of music and returning to the days of ‘Pop before the Beatles ruined everything’, The Pipettes’ debut album is set against a retro background.

Citing The Ronettes, The Shirelles and the ferocity of punk as major influences, the swaying all-girl trio drown out backing band The Cassettes with their layered harmonies, shouty vocals and razor-sharp attitudes.

First track "We Are The Pipettes" is a perfect opener with some of the quirkiest lyrics on the album, followed shortly by latest release Pull Shapes. Both songs epitomise The Pipettes ethic of dance-inducing fun and provide some distraction before the band launch into songs dedicated to men, romance and rubbish relationships in general.

"Why Did You Stay?", "ABC" and "One Night Stand" are songs about drippy useless men, whereas "Tell Me What You Want" and "It Hurts To See You Dance So Well" concern inaccessible men and rejection.

At first, the subject matter and lyrics seem to fall down, making it hard to decide whether they’re purposefully quirky or just plain uninspired. However, some variation is introduced as this caustic approach subsides with the stirring "Tell Me What You Want" and its push for honesty hinting towards vulnerability and impatience with relationships.

"Judy" and "Under A Winter's Sky" are weaker points but enjoyable nevertheless whist previous releases "Dirty Mind", "Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me" and "Pull Shapes" have been slightly polished but retain their raw, immediate qualities.

The Pipettes debut is a unique and original slice of accessible pop, its concise time and catchiness making it impossible to skip a single track. This album lends itself just as well to men as women, and to hot summery days as well as pre-club stints in front of the mirror.

As bands such as The Darkness have demonstrated, it’s questionable how far citing one era as a platform for music can be successful and provide longevity. However, rather than coming across as a retro tribute act, The Pipettes manage to avoid sounding dated by mixing influences with their blunt originality and lyrics, making this impressive debut one of the essential albums of the year