SANTA HATES YOU YOU'RE ON THE NAUGHTY LIST ALBUM CANDYLAND RELEASE: OCTOBER 31, 2007 REVIEW: DECEMBER 11, 2007

Continuing to branch out in search of new inspiration as always, Peter Spilles has birthed yet another project (sic) outside of what he's best known for. Where Imatem were almost deadly serious and quite classically electro/industrial, Santa Hates You is the playful side of Spilles Es.

Playful how, you ask? For the first time since the "IO" period of Project Pitchfork, there is a female vocalist singing again with our hero. Her name is Jinxy and on songs such as the sugary "Sugar & Spice" she provides a nicely snotty counter-balance to Peter's infamous growls. And then there is the actual album sleeve that is equal parts Lovecraftian and goofball take the piss.

The music is straight-forward and extremely accessible. There are no odd venturings off into the experimentation that usually marks the work of this prolific German. Clearly, Santa Hates You are not designed to be taken seriously. It is a bit of fun from a camp who generally are quite intense and irony free. I predict that some of these songs will be echoing around dance floors for some time despite how few people know of this new creative venture. If another one of these appears I will be greatly surprised, at least it serves a purpose and will not be cringe-inducing as his REC (remember that dud?) offshoot was some years back.

Enough with the well digging, time for some new Pitchfork already. I appreciate the artistic range you have Peter but it's time to get back to work.

PETER MARKS

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