THE PIPETTES

Earth vs. the Pipettes

[Polka Dot Sounds/Fortuna Pop]

After delving into the sound of classic early-’60s girls groups on 2006’s We Are the Pipettes, the Brit indie act’s follow-up takes the next logical step by diving into disco. Maybe they should have stuck with the girl-group thing. Now a duo after near-constant lineup changes over the past four years, the Pipettes approach disco head-on with glossy songs packed full of candy-colored synthesizers and pulsing beats intended for fancy steps on light-up dance floors. But coupled with iffy songwriting, the swirling synths and Studio 54 vibes overpower the cheeky appeal the Pipettes showed on their earlier work. “Our Love Was Saved by Spacemen” is carried along by punchy bass, sweeping strings and a mariachi-style trumpet line, while opener “Call Me” leads off with a klaxon that gives way to scratchy funk guitar and effervescent vocals. It’s a game attempt at a tongue-in-cheek tribute, but an ultimately ineffective one. –ED