James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
I must admit first of all that I am only vaguely acquainted with the original album so I can only judge each track on its own merits. I like the sound and energy of the band but there is a certain pretentiousness which grates. The singer's trademark yelp is actually rather annoying, not crazy or weirdly sexy in a Bondo de Role sort of way. There is no discernible melody and the sloganeering which is employed as a lyrical substitute lacks sufficient wit to stand up to repetition. Absence of melody is bearable providing the backing track is an absolute floor filling humdinger, but as a rule the tracks here just aren’t that engaging. Of course, there are a couple of exceptions.
The Bees ‘ reworking of 'Make Out, Fall Out, Make Up' is a good’un, its Memphis horns and unashamedly funky bass line providing a welcome anecdote to the buzzers and bells which characterize the rest of the album. Plus, it’s hard not to like a track featuring the legendary Hammond organ, the smoothest, coolest sound invented. The mighty ‘Hot Chip’ make an appearance as well, chipping in (no pun intended) with a cover of ‘Felt Tip’ which sounds a bit like an experimental version of The Buggles and features the most absurdly out of place Clarence Clemmons style sax solo I’ve ever heard. A little out there, but certainly intriguing enough to merit your attention. Unfortunately, these are the only two moments of real musical clarity in a mire of pretentious and underwhelming electronic indie music.
But you know what? Maybe I'm unqualified to fully appreciate this album. Remix albums aren't meant to be judged in their own right and exist mainly as curiosity pieces for die hard fans. If you are a fan, I should imagine that Love is All... Mixed Up will make a more than useful addition to your collection. If you’re not a fan, you might want to think twice about purchasing an album which at times, sounds like it was created using a piece of crappy, Bedroom DJ shareware that you can download for free off Limewire.
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