Formed in 2001, Scissor Sisters comprises lead vocalist Jake Shears, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist and back vocalist Babydaddy, vocalist playing percussion Ana Matronic, guitarist Del Marquis and drummer Paddy Boom.

Scissor Sisters style is hard to refer to any category, though they has been clearly influenced by 60s glam-rock, disco, funk, and alternative music. ‘Ta Dah’ then is brilliant collection of bright pop and disco tunes and emotional ballads. It must be mentioned that the band excels in live concerts what with animated characters on stage, supreme showmanship of all members.

The band excels in catchy tunes. I Don't feel like Dancin’, is a collaboration with each member's favorite performer Sir Elton John, who has played the piano part and participated in the song's creation. But what Scissor Sisters do best is make you move, and they continue doing that on Ooh, Paul McCartney, that are irresistible dance-floor fillers. The slow section is slated with the touching Might tell you tonight while Intermission also partially Elton John's creation, is a fairly good highlight. There may not be anything as show stopping as the first album's disco-fied cover of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb, but Ta-Dah is a more confident, consistent album.

Scissor Sisters straight-forward lyrics, take a twist with Elton around in the bouncy She's My Man that has strong rhythmic touches with Babydaddy, Del Marquis, and Paddy Boom crafting an impressive playground of rocky sounds while Shears warbles his gender-confused lyrics that tell the tale of a fabled female New Orleans river pirate. The primary lyricist for the band, Jake’s Land of a Thousand Words is an homage to the themes from the James Bond films, while the band pay a sly homage to the other king of chart-topping '70s with Paul McCartney, a funk kind of piece that sounds pretty good, the writing literate and intelligent.

Kiss You Off is a liberating break-up anthem, very melancholic sung by the band's only female member, Ana Matronic, showing off influences galore of Blondie and Debbie Harry. Spears, the voice behind Scissor Sisters tries his falsetto once too many times aka Barry Gibb in Lights and Ooh that is a waste. Otherwise his voice is bitchy as well as mature compared to the self titled debut album. There are more similarities than any differences to talk about, with KC and the Sunshine Band, George Michael and Rolling Stones giving them ideas.

With just one track I Don't Feel Like Dancin' the kick off is a sure-fire hit that will remind listeners of vintage Elton John even before they realize that the song was co-written by John himself. With a great hook, it’s an impeccably crafted dance-pop song. Shears' falsetto, and the tight rhythm section is all perfectly in place. Their performances are simply great, with unusual instrumentation coming in the form of Jews Harp performed by talented Gina Gershon on I Can’t Decide. There’s the unforgettable keyboards in I Can’t Decide and a sound clip by Judy Garland, that most tragic of all icons, in The other side. Recorded at their own studio, Discoball, the production values are good.

Scissor Sisters have brought glitz, glamour and mirror balls back to the music world. Referencing hits of the disco era while making music that still sounds fresh and original, most importantly, the Scissor Sisters have the power to remind us that making music can and should be fun which also could give rise to new generation fans wanting to listen to retro music to know what music really sounded maybe 10 or 20 years ago.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira