Andy
Bell – Torsten, The Beautiful Libertine (SFE)
CD
/ DL
4
March 2016
8.5
/ 10
Erasure
vocalist releases his sixth solo album.
Andy
Bell returns as Torsten, the semi-immortal polysexual, in the follow up to
2014s brilliant song-cycle debut Torsten, The Bareback Saint. On the new album Bell once more confirms his
ability to sing a mixture of theatre and pop with seemingly great ease.
Torsten
carries on his loveless life despite engaging with many lovers along the way
all of which he has seen disappear as he continues his lonely existence. The songs written once more by Barney
Ashton-Bullock and Christopher Frost (Michael J Allison also contributes to My Precious
One) are testament to a great songwriting team and one which has created a
character with which Bell claims he can relate to on many levels.
The
Beautiful Libertine sees a more commercial approach with less cabaret styled
songs and more which could, if the many profanities are removed, achieve radio
play. The profanities however are as
much a part of the album, the character and indeed modern life as the songs themselves. Several references to gay sex, drug abuse and
masturbation are part of the scenario and cannot be removed without taking away
from the impact of the album as a whole.
Album
opener, Statement Of Intent, as the title suggests sets the scene for what will
come in the collection go seventeen tracks: “I don’t care if this record
doesn’t sell…. I’ve stood before you all and said ‘Go To Hell’”, and it pretty
much covers the theme of the story.
Torsten
is now becoming slightly delirious, falling apart at the seams but his
resilience remains strong as he carries on his existence knowing he will never
find true love but living in hope that he will.
The
Beautiful Libertine whilst a fictional character carries many episodes that
will touch us all at some point in our lives, maybe Torsten is slightly more
extreme but the fact remains that the down-to-earth structure of the album is
its main feature.
Lead
track from the album, My Precious One contains no offensive language and should
propel Andy onto mainstream radio as a good advert for the album. It’s a song that is written in true classic
pop style with a strong chorus and an infectious hook.
Photos
Of Daniel recounts Torstens involvement in a synth pop band who could have been
‘the next Eurythmics’ (surely there were other synth pop bands to choose
from!), and a duet with Lana Pillay on (Oooh Baby, You’re So) Queercore!
provides a fascinating interplay between the two vocalists.
Blow
Jobs For Cocaine again reminds us of the often sordid tale, and We Were Singing
Along To Liza a sad tale of a Mothers love for her Son and the acceptance of
his homosexuality.
Once
more it is a captivating and charming account of the irrepressibly lovable
Torsten, and maybe leads the way to just one more chapter in the series?
Andy
will be performing Torsten, The Beautiful Libertine from 2nd to 27th
March at the Above The Stag Theatre in London.
Links
SFE Records
Andy Bell website
Andy Bell on Twitter
Andy Bell on Facebook
Saint Torsten website
Saint Torsten on Twitter
Saint Torsten on Facebook
Andy Bell on hiapop Blog
Published on Louder Than War 27/02/16 - here
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