XXL
¡Ciaütistico!

THE REVIEW

I struggle to keep up with all the publications of Jamie Stewart and his Xiu Xiu. A dozen LPs - the next, "Dear God, I Hate Myself", coming out in the early months of 2010 - and quite a few EPs, splits, and various collaborations in less than ten years are too much for anyone. Jamie has also lent his voice for a rather experimental short film with the eloquent title "Hallelujah! Gorilla Revival".

Anyway, among more or less successful attempts, he has built a special bond with Italy over the years, a country where he enjoys a certain following and popularity.

In 2005, he met the Turin-based Larsen and decided to set up this interesting side project, XXL. Xiu Xiu + Larsen, of course. The gang also includes the (now former) Xiu Xiu Caralee McElroy, who has now joined Cold Cave.

The result of this curious collaboration is "¡Ciaütistico!". About forty minutes of music recorded, mixed, and mastered between Milan and Turin and packaged in a cheerful orange box decorated inside with primitive drawings of ducks and hippos. As well as the (few) lyrics. All with the blessing of Important Records. The same label that would publish "Spicchiology?" two years later (the second XXL episode).

It's quite a disappointing result. Because overall, the album offers very few notable moments. The sounds and compositional solutions seem largely unsuccessful. Eventually even predictable. Except in some cases. See the amusing quacking duck of "Distorted Duck". The seven minutes of "Sunday" aren’t too bad. But they are seven minutes and this time that’s too many.

In the end, what saves the sinking ship is the voice of good Jamie Stewart. Indeed, the sung pieces are the most successful ones. Then we can get sentimental and deeply moved listening to the emblematic "Paw paw paw paw paw paw paw", the opening track of the album, or savoring the good "(Pokey in your) Gnocchi". And I was truly astounded when, after absorbing some absurdity blurted in "Minne Mouseistic" by the charming Caralee McElroy, I found myself listening to "Prince Charming", a highly successful cover of Adam & the Ants. A song that I, in fact, have always struggled to digest even more than gnocchi and that, sung by Stewart, instead acquires new vigor and finally its dignity. I almost managed to forget that horrible video where Adam Ant dances dressed as a pirate with his friends.

Never mind. I still remember it. Alas.

Being fabulous and all.
So today I.
I'm at my wit's end.

(quote from Minne Mouseistic)