Album Review

It’s A Musical – The Music Makes Me Sick

• 25th Feb 2010

It may sound like an auditory oddity that indie pop duo ‘It’s a Musical’s album” does not feature so much as a single strum on the guitar, but after listening to these 12 ear-pleasing ditties, you’ll barely notice – let alone bemoan – this omission.

Quirky lyrics are combined with an unusual orchestra of instruments (including organ, piano, drums,brass, synth) that makes ‘The Music Makes Me Sick’ entirely original. Swedish small-town girl Ella Blixt and her German partner in pop music, Robert Kretzschmar, write about everyday life and reinterpret the ordinary to make it extraordinary. As the memorable and addictive title track suggests, they have no interest in imitating what’s been heard before.

So, the pair put their own, innovative spin on everything they sing about and manage to make almost anything sound joyful. The story of opening track ‘Pain Song’ is as despondent as the title suggests, yet triumphant fanfares and rousing military drumrolls make it an undeniably cheerful track; similarly, ‘Bad Day’ lends an upbeat sound to a succinct but woeful tale we can all empathise with. The album ends with the soothing ‘Take Off Your T-Shirt’,a tinkling lullaby which leaves the listener content and relaxed.

Ella’s exquisite, tender voice contrasts with Robert’s low, somber one, but combined their dulcet tones are even more melodious, as in the peculiarly-titled ‘Dinosaur’ and uplifting but unusual love song ‘You Make Me Real’. The pair evidently creatively complement one another perfectly – lose yourself in their unique musical.