The Sisters seem to have taken a page from Rufus Wainwright’s songbook, lacing every track with Biblical allusions and crises of faith. While the first album was sometimes dark in its treatment of sex and drugs, “Ta-Dah” seems to anticipate a rapidly approaching Judgment Day with every song. The album’s biggest problem is simply that it’s not as fun as its predecessor. But without a catchy melody, it doesn’t come even close, sounding tossed-off instead of cohesive. The song tries too hard to be this album’s “Filthy/Gorgeous,” with the band employing a beat similar to the previous hit’s and even giving vocalist Ana Matronic dialogue to moan out, just like last time. “Paul McCartney,” for example, is a dismal low point. That’s not to say the album is without missteps. Clearly the RIAA needs to catch up on their slang.) The Sisters’ lyrics are as playful and unconventional as ever. (It’s a small marvel “Ta-Dah” avoided the brand of a Parental Advisory label. It’s also reassuring to know the Sisters haven’t lost any of their sense of humor or their fascination for the sexually explicit. It starts off right with a dance track ironically titled “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.” Featuring a piano riff co-written and performed by Elton John, the piece is as masterfully derivative and flamboyant as anything on the Sisters’ previous album, sounding like vintage ABBA, Billy Joel, and Bee-Gees all at once. But in light of the niche popularity of their self-titled LP, “Ta-Dah” is bound to be something of a letdown to the fanbase they won with their previous disc of campy, cabaret-inspired pop. Were the Scissor Sisters’ “Ta-Dah” any other band’s second album there would be no chance of them being accused of a sophomore slump. 3.5 Stars The bad thing about releasing a huge cult hit as your debut is that you set an impossibly high bar for your follow-up.
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