Album Review: Sex and Money, Five Grand Stereo

Taking their name from a line in ‘Holiday In Cambodia’ by the Dead Kennedys – and led by Dublin-born, ex-power pop star Chris Singleton – Five Grand Stereo’s much-anticipated debut aims to make the concept album cool again. Telling the tale of a jilted lover’s attempt to reclaim the heart of an aspiring singer, Sex And Money is a record rich with ideas. Over the course of 12 tracks, it nods to the likes of ELO, T-Rex, The Beatles and Roxy Music.

Tackling topics including the cult of celebrity and sexism in the music industry, this rock opera is an enjoyable romp down memory lane. ‘David Bowie’ – which packs as many references to the Thin White Duke as possible into its three minutes – is a hip-shaking hoot, while ‘In Your Garage’ is a wistful rocker in the vein of Jeff Lynne. Elsewhere, ‘Corinthians I’ and ‘II’ successfully puts the band’s secret weapon (backing singer Jane Fraser) front and centre. Star of the show, however, is the anthemic ‘Anyone Can Be A Star’, with the biting lyrics adding welcome spice to the sugary hooks.
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Rating: 7/10