Charlotte Summer, Bizarre Love Triangle Review

Overall Rating

Rich, intoxicating vocal work, splendid balance of synth-pop and Gothic rock dread, impressive songcraft.

Using one of New Order's most well-known songs - "Bizarre Love Triangle" - as an album title and then covering the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" inside may seem like sacrilege to New Wave purists. Fortunately, Charlotte Summer has not butchered the track nor has she disgraced the legend of New Order with this powerfully black-clad record.

Just when you thought Goth was passe or having peaked with the Sisters of Mercy's last LP comes this cannonball of velvety sung dance rock. Summer's version of "Just Like Heaven" is the introductory hook. Considering her target audience has grown older and less open-minded to new artists, it was wise to remake a familiar and beloved single. And she sings it well, giving it a feminine touch that is both sweet and sad. It's a beefed-up version of the original, guitar and bass sounding deeper and more brooding.

Luckily, Summer's own tunes cement her credibility. "Cage" pounds with mid-'80s Batcaver punch. Bassist Marco Zermeno is a significant factor in Summer's songs a post-punk edge; on a few songs, such as on "Dreams," he recalls Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order.

Summer's at her best on "Without Me" with its New Romantic synths and pounding percussion. Admittedly, I was shocked by the audacity of stealing from New Order; after listening to "Bizarre Love Triangle" in its entirety several times throughout the day I can say that Summer has deserved the right to do so.