Let's be honest. "Somebody That I Used To Know" should have never been a hit. The fact that it has become one feels as natural as Bobby McFerrin's 1988 hit "Don't Worry Be Happy". "Somebody That I Used To Know" is stripped down in an age of overstuffed pop fluff manufactured for the masses. It is almost acapella in quality. As minimalist as a Sting or Police song like "Walking On The Moon" or "Love Is The Seventh Wave". And if you were expecting the rest of the album to be this way you would be sorely disappointed. "Somebody That I Used To Know" is the only song that is like that on "Making Mirrors", Gotye's third album.

I admit that I came upon Gotye much like most people have, by hearing "Somebody That I Used To Know", but then he wasn't given much exposure in the United States prior to this. A Belgian by way of Australia, the near 32 year old Wally De Backer is like Prince or Terence Trent D'Arby in the sense that he makes all his music. He has been compared to Sting "Somebody That I Used To Know" and Peter Gabriel "Bronte", but it is undeniable that he sounds like Steve Winwood at times "I Feel Better".

"Making Mirrors" is more diverse than his 2008 sophomore album "Like Drawing Blood". Gone is the reggae dubstep from that album (with the exception of "State Of The Art" and "Don't Worry, We'll Be Watching You"--two tracks that once again explore the themes of modern living, just as 2008's "Thank You For Your Time" did.

Despite all of these good elements, Gotye comes off as derivative more than original. Don't get me wrong, the album is good, but it just misses that extra something that would have made it classic. I think Gotye is still finding his musical way. I think he is still developing his sound. What this means is that in the future he could potential make a great album.

I've been listening to pop music for far too long to be suckered by "Somebody That I Used To Know". Although I like the song and think it is unique in contrast to what else is out there right now, I am not naive enough, or young enough, to forget all the pop music that is similar that has come before Gotye. Make no mistake--he is borrowing heavily from artists that came before him. You will know that he has arrived musically when it will be difficult to compare him to others and difficult to directly link his music to the past.

The best tracks here are "Easy Way Out", "Eyes Wide Open", "Somebody That I Used To Know", "Smoke And Mirrors", "I Feel Better", "In Your Light", "Giving Me A Chance" and "Bronte". The weakest tracks are easily "State Of The Art" with the ridiculous use of a voice modulator to hammer the point across that Gotye is not really enjoying modern music making technology. I found this track to be quite irritating. Also, "Don't Worry, We'll Be Watching You" is rather dull and lifeless. "Save Me" is mediocre. The opening track "Making Mirrors" is just a segue really, and I don't count it as a musical track.

So, overall, four stars because it is enjoyable and memorable, but ultimately derivative and lacking that final element that would have made it a classic five star album. For those of you too young to know, if you have to ask what would qualify as a five star classic album that influenced "Making Mirrors", well, here you go:

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds (1966) and Smiley Smile (1967)
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (1977) and Tango In The Night (1987)
Talking Heads: Remain In Light (1980)
Laurie Anderson: Big Science (1982)
The Police: Synchronicity (1983)
Peter Gabriel: So (1986)
Paul Simon: Graceland (1986)
Steve Winwood: Back In The High Life (1986)

As for Gotye, here is how "Making Mirrors" compares to his previous works:

2003 Boardface: (Unfortunately Amazon does not have this album to download, so I have not heard it)
2008 Like Drawing Blood: Three Stars
2012 Making Mirrors: Four Stars

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.5 (1146 ratings)
Price	$13.98
Category	Adult Alternative