Woman Is the Fuhrer of the World

Taking as their starting-point the Buzzcocks-inspired premise that there's no need to mess around with three notes when two will suffice, Germany's Pop Tarts--three girls and a mustachioed drummer--have created an album that rivals the Ramones in the studied dumbness stakes. Yet despite having its musical sensibilities rooted firmly in 1978, Woman Is The Fuhrer Of The World still sounds as fresh and infectiously fun as that teenage day when a friend passes their driving test and takes everyone off to the beach. Although the monologue of "Kindheit Jugend Sex" might be lost on non-German speakers, the lyrics are mainly in English. The Pop Tarts' naïve style will undoubtedly grate with those who mutter snootily about "progression"; they can take relief from the album's nostalgically brief half-hour running time. If, however, you like your music snack-sized and speedy, low on intellectual nutrition yet high on sugar-flavoured thrills, reach for the Pop Tarts. --Abi Bliss

Label: Unknown
Studio: Bungalow
Released: 1998-06-29
Format: Audio CD