The portentous intro song "Birds of Prey" sounds like something that could have been poached by Marilyn Manson in later years. Here, though, the massive electronic bombast is strictly for campy fun rather than making any sort of serious statement -- Army of Lovers in a nutshell, and bless them for it. Its self-titled release fuses Eurodisco's pulse and sheen (and at points the all-important string swirls, as "Ride the Bullet" merrily shows) with gay abandon in all senses of the word. The Army doesn't quite hit the heights that Deee-Lite served up with its own delicious debut World Clique, from the same year, but comes awfully close. Earlier hits "Supernatural" and "Love Me Like a Loaded Gun" appear with a slew of similarly minded songs (great titles abound -- some standouts: "Mondo Trasho" and "I Am the Amazon"). Bard's deliciously creamy and politely sleazy vocals and sense of style give the whole thing an outre but perfect elegance, while Barda and La Camilla round out things with their own presence as well. If not as distinct in terms of singing and performance compared to other dance divas, they still lend a lovely joie de vivre to Bard's tales of laser sex and dance explosions. Due credit has to also go to Magnus Frykberg, who cowrote nearly everything with Bard and whose synth work blends the all-important beat with a consistent lushness in sound. The Army aren't afraid to play around with house, hip-hop and various worldbeat percussion styles, adding just that little bit more to all the goings-on. Quirky samples sneak in at points as well, from The Andy Griffith Show's whistled theme to the "ooga-chuckas" from "Hooked on a Feeling." Add to that such delectabilities as the French vocals on "Scorpio Rising" and random theremin noises, and the Army begins its mission in full effect. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
Army of Lovers (Vocals), Army of Lovers (Main Performer), Titiyo (Vocals), Victor, Victor (Vocals (Background)), Per Adebratt (Producer), Per Adebratt (Engineer), Per Adebratt (Assistant Engineer), Per Adebratt (Mixing), Alexander Bard (Sitar), Alexander Bard (Vocals), Alexander Bard (Vocals (Background)), Alexander Bard (Producer), Alexander Bard (Computers), Vicki Benckert (Vocals (Background)), Dayeene (Vocals), Anders Hansson (Programming), Anders Hansson (Producer), Anders Hansson (Engineer), Anders Hansson (Mixing), Emil Hellman (Bass), Emil Hellman (Vocals (Background)), Emil Hellman (Producer), Emil Hellman (Drum Programming), Emil Hellman (Mixing), Anders Wollbeck (Guitar), Anders Wollbeck (Keyboards), Anders Wollbeck (Programming), Anders Wollbeck (Producer), Dominic Woosey (Engineer), Stonebridge (Engineer), P.J. Wide (Engineer), La Camilla (Bass), La Camilla (Vocals), Magnus Frykberg (Programming), Magnus Frykberg (Producer), Jean-Pierre Barda (Drums), Jean-Pierre Barda (Vocals), Jean-Pierre Barda (Make-Up), Jean-Pierre Barda (Hair Stylist), Kent Billeqvist (Photography), Titiyo Da Yeene (Vocals), Kenny Denton (Engineer), J.M. Fax (Engineer), Erik Olhester (Engineer), Marie Sundström-Wollbeck (Design), Marie Sundström-Wollbeck (Sleeve Design), Camilla Thulin (Stylist), Katarina Wilczewski (Vocals), Jean-Paul Wall (Vocals), Nuzak (Producer), Nuzak (Remixing), Ola Håkansson (Producer), Ola Håkansson (Executive Producer), Ola Håkansson (Mixing), The 69 Caruso (Vocals (Background)), The 69 Caruso (Guitar (Baritone))
