This was a review for Brighton popular culture website Blaggg (currently under reconstruction) and Ollie at Work It Media.

BLACK GOLD – ‘RUSH’

Album release date (UK): 05/10/09                            

October sees Brooklyn indie-rock duo Black Gold release their debut album in the UK via newbie label Red Bull Records, just in time for their upcoming tour supporting alternative country act Neko Case. ‘Rush’ encompasses a whirlwind collision of genres with a founding theme of stomping beats and pop-funk infusion making them (continually) comparable to synthpop lovelies MGMT. ‘Breakdown’ is the obvious single choice with its unelaborated but addictive falsetto chorus whilst the melodic, piano-led ‘Plans & Reveries’ and charming acoustic number ‘Silver’ present Black Gold as an unashamedly experimental act whilst maintaning a distinct sound all their own. The sugary hooks are lacking in the final third of the album which instead is ballad-laden and this fraction - although far from repulsive – is overshadowed by the thumping sounds which precede it. Still, ‘Rush’ is an accomplished debut; a displaced sound-of-summer record which could likely sneak its way into mass rotation as the temperature diminishes. UK success is imminent.  7/10

DOWNLOAD:  ‘Breakdown’ and ‘Shine’

See: www.myspace.com/blackgold