As statements of purpose go, "We didn't come into
the world to walk around / We came here to take you out" isn't especially
rousing. It's a little wan, a bit quaint, and not very effectual. That's a line
from the opening number of Donkey, the second album from Brazilian post-punk pop
troupe CSS, and how effective it is depends entirely on whether the listener
feels like going out. If there's stuff to work on at home, Donkey shouldn't offend, nor will
it fail to rouse those already halfway out the door. As on 2006's Cansei De
Ser Sexy,
the songs are compact, cutesy, and propulsive; also present are Spirit of '82
new-wave guitar riffs that either don't rock hard enough or aren't cheesy
enough to spread on a Ritz. Lead singer Lovefoxxx still has much of her earlier
pep, but the lyrics (either her own or by bassist Adriano Cintra, who also
writes most of the music) don't give her much to work with—especially
with "Reggae All Night" a pale echo of the debut's "Let's Make Love And Listen
To Death From Above."