Album Review: Pleasureman by Günther

"Oh you touch my tra-la-la"

-Ding Dong Song

The 2000s was a decade of many changes around the world, including within the realm of music. In 2004 the world changed forever, as that was the year in which Swedish model, supposed nightclub owner, and superstar extraordinaire, Mats Söderlund, better known by his stage name, Günther, released the seminal Pleasureman.

Truly one of the most or least self-aware albums ever released, Pleasureman may be either the most idiotic or genius eurodance release ever, in a genre which certainly tends to lean closer to the idiotic side of things. Now don't get me wrong, I am an immense eurodance fan, and take any and every opportunity to push this incredibly cheesy, if influential, genre onto others. However, no genre which spawned characters such as Dr. Bombay in earnest can or will ever be seen with immense critical respect. So, when you have an album titled Pleasureman, where the most famous track is Ding Dong Song, lines between earnestness and parody can certainly be blurred, especially when the image is sold so well. With that said, let's see where Günther and his backing group, The Sunshine Girls, will take us on our journey with them.

The following is a track-by-track review:

1. Golddiggers: From the very first line on the album, if there's one thing you should know about Günther, it is that his sexiness simply cannot be questioned. He is a king, a champion, a sex god, and irresistible. The women simply cannot resist his macho charm, and frankly, neither can I. 5/5

2. Ding Dong Song: Truly a one-of-a-kind record. Is it the best song of the 2000s? Yes. Is it the best eurodance song ever recorded? Yes. Was it a #1 hit in Sweden? Yes. Günther's inspired words reflect the innate desire for pleasure, passion, and the pursuit of happiness we all possess, and for expressing it so eloquently, the world should be eternally grateful. 5/5

3. Teeny Weeny String Bikini: Unfortunately, the bar has been so high with our first two tracks that there is nowhere to go but down. Such is the dilemma of Günther, the man who embodies the word perfection. However, Günther's infusion of latin flair and effortless Spanish save us from falling too far. A step down for Günther, but a crowning achievement for anyone else. 4/5

4. Touch Me (With Samantha Fox): What do you get when you put the ultimate example of the male fantasy from the 80s with the most obvious example of the female fantasy from the 2000s? Of course, an irresistibly sexy affair. Samantha Fox herself even tells Günther he's so sexy, but he surely already knew that. 4/5

5. Pleasureman: Wait a minute, is this song about Günther being a male stripper? I'm not sure how I feel about that. Is Günther's sexiness enhanced or diminished by him being unattainable to the women who desire him so? Like so much of him, it truly is an enigma, but this foray into a more breakbeat influenced sound may not be serving him well, unlike the women wish that they could. 3/5

6. Crazy & Wild: Am I crazy and wild, or is this album perhaps not as inspired as I was led to believe? As tempting as Günther's wild mating dance is, his music seems to be losing some steam here. 2/5

7. One Night Stand: Günther gone electroclash? Sure been quiet from Ladytron and Goldfrapp since he released this. Yet, it still pales to the heights our pleasureman had taken us to earlier on. 2/5

8. I Am Your Man (G.Ü.N.T.H.E.R.): Some people may be aware that Brycesonic is in fact an acronym, however, next to Günther our acronym is but a mere shadow, as often are when we bask in his light. An immense step up, as he takes us towards his jazzier and more romantic side. Truly Gorgeous, Über Cool, Nasty, Tacky, Hunky, Enjoyable, and Racy. No man can compare to Günther. 4/5

9. Naughty Boy: Indeed, Günther truly is a one-of-a-kind naughty boy, and this disco song suits him fairly well. Not quite as well as eurodance or jazz, but when he's so naughty how can we be mad? 3.5/5

10. Enormous Emotion (I Love You): Is it bad I kind of see the romance in this? Obviously not, since Günther has that effect on everybody. Such is the charm of the pleasureman. 3.5/5

11. Ding Dong Song (Lounge): Can perfection be improved upon? Unfortunately, the answer is no, but that doesn't mean it can't be reinterpreted. A solid attempt, but it seems there will always be one definitive way to touch Günther's tralala. 3/5

Conclusion:

While the album has some highs and lows, peaking early on, Günther truly takes us on a journey like no other. I have yet to have an auditory experience like I had with Pleasureman and am doubtful that any of you will anytime soon. I am forever grateful for Günther, The Sunshine Girls, and the undeniable sexiness that he commands, for having blessed my life so.

3.6/5

Fun Fact: Scientists at the University of Brycersonic Studies have determined that Günther could actually serve as Europe's solution to its energy crisis if they were able to harness sexiness as a source of energy. Unfortunately, efforts to harness sexiness as a power source have been on pause after the LMFAO Reactor meltdown of 2012.