Moby- Play

This is Moby's fifth studio album, released in 1999. Moby's previous releases (including Animal Rights three years earlier) were mostly unsuccessful, so Play was the breakthrough which shot Moby to international success.

And Honey shows that every ounce of the success is deserved. The combination of an electronica trance with work-songs works a treat. You'd think the same short riff would get very tedious after 3 minutes. But it doesn't, it's brilliant.

Distorted lyrics are usually an irritation for me, and unfortunately they are a deal-breaker for Find My Baby. Which is a shame, because the background is very richly layered. There is similar emotional conflict for me with Bodyrock- somehow I really don't like it (perhaps the vocals)... but dammit that groove is irresistible!

The chillout style is another great string in Moby's bow. Porcelain is a great example, even though I actually find it hard to actively concentrate on. But in zoning in and out there are often wonderful surprises in the rich, yet subtle, tapestry in the background. Great use of piano and strings, so great you barely notice it! Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad is also wonderfully subtle yet complex.

Natural Blues, as per Honey, is a fantastic modern take on the work-song. Run On is similar, but with more of a gospel feel. And again, the combination of repetitive vocals, driving piano groove and electronic beat works a treat.

The style of Everloving is a bit of an oddball on this album. Yet, thanks to the chillout vibe, it also fits perfectly. However, the highlight of this instrumental is that without saying a word, it is intensely powerful and inspiring. Brilliant.

My immediate reaction when I think Moby is the work-songs (eg Honey and Natural Blues). But this album isn't as simple as "beats plus piano plus sampled vocals", there is a wonderful richness hiding just beneath the surface.

Favourite songs

Honey, Porcelain, Natural Blues, Run On, Everloving

Worthwhile?

Absolutely. Electronica rarely makes an appearance in my collection, so this album and Berlin Calling are unique gems for me.

Reverend Horton Heat- Laughin' & Cryin'

This is the 10th album from Reverend Horton Heat (RHH). It was released in 2009, five years after Revival.

Right from the start, Drinkin' And Smokin' Cigarettes signifies that the hillbilly influence is more dominant than previous RHH albums. The style doesn't really appeal to me and I find the execution here is quite cheesy. On the bright side, songs like Ain't No Saguaro In Texas, Rural Point Of View and Oh God Doesn't Work In Vegas are enjoyable thanks to their amusing lyrics.

Since psychobilly is more my cup of tea, Death Metal Guys is a welcome change of style. It definitely hits the spot for thoughtful yet headbanging rock, but unfortunately it drags out a bit towards the end.

River Ran Dry is vintage RHH fast-paced rockabilly goodness. There's nothing we haven't heard before, but when it works this well, I have not complaint with it!

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Just Let Me Hold My Paycheck is a woefully clunky and disjointed effort. And I don't have much nice to say about the rest of the album, so I'll stop my moaning here...

Favourite songs

Ain't No Saguaro In Texas, River Ran Dry, Oh God Doesn't Work In Vegas

I diggit?

No. Overall, it's quite a disappointment.

Los Capitanes- Scar

Not another cover! This piss-take version of Missy Higgins' hit Scar (review here) was released in 2010.

The immaturity starts with even the concept of the song: a ska version of a Scar... ska scar,... geddit?!

And the implementation itself is completely over the place, as it wildly oscillates between reggae, ska and punk. But it all hangs together nicely.

In the end, though, a lot of the appeal is out of spite. Since the original has been played to death on the radio, it is highly satisfying to sing along to such a ridiculous version of a pop hit...

Favourite songs

Scar

Worthwhile?

This immature and ridiculous cover arguably epitomises everything that is great about third-wave ska.

Nouvelle Vague- self titled

This is the 2004 debut album from Nouvelle Vague.

While technically an album of covers, many of the songs have been thoroughly reworked, so I consider them to be standalone songs in their own right.

The bands' signature soft style turns Love Will Tear Us Apart into a wonderful lullabye. Marian and Making Plans For Nigel use the same approach, however they somehow fail to make an impression on me. But that's not to say they're bad songs, because I really enjoy their style, so the songs still make for nicely relaxing background music.

However, In A Manner Of Speaking is definitely engaging, mainly thanks to the haunting and poetic lyrics. The music of Tuxedomoon's original is a bit too left-field for me, but the wonderfully understated Nouvelle Vague accompaniment brings it all together perfectly. It's recording quality, like most of the album, is wonderfully gentle, yet with nice subtle details (such as the crisp egg-shaker) if you go listening for them.

Guns Of Brixton is a tougher challenge, since The Clash have set such a high benchmark with the original. The styles of The Clash and Nouvelle Vague might both seem like a strange choice for a song with such a 'tough' narrative. Yet both unusual approaches perfectly capture the feelings of menace and torment, and are both favourite songs for me.

On the other hand, it is a miracle that they saw the potential in the awful original that is This Is Not A Love Song. Yet they've somehow turned it into a wonderfully catchy little pop song. And the lyrics take on a wonderful irony with the new style. Great stuff. Teenage Highs takes a similar approach, also to great effect.

When quintessentially frat-boy lyrics about bar-room brawls and drunken sex are sung in a soft style with female vocals, the result is fantastic Richard Cheese-esque humour. This is Too Drunk To Fuck in a nutshell. Yet I still enjoy the song after all these years, suggesting that it's not just a one-trick pony and actually a great song as well.

Although the tortured style of Psyche isn't to my liking, it is worthwhile on the album for injecting some variety. Finally, the sparse approach Friday Night Saturday Morning actually brings the sorrowful narrative to life, even more than original, therefore bringing an interesting new angle to the ska classic.

 

Favourite songs

In A Manner Of Speaking, Guns Of Brixton, This Is Not A Love Song, Too Drunk To Fuck, Friday Night Saturday Morning

 

Worthwhile?

Yes. The overall style that greatly appeals to me, and there are some standout highlights to top it off.

Missy Higgins- The Sound of White

How on earth did I end up owning most of Missy Higgins' back catalogue?! It's nothing to be ashamed of, of course, but I was a bit taken aback by this discovery...

This is Missy Higgins' debut album, which was released in 2004. It led to overnight pop success, thanks to the quirky pop sing Scar.

For me, it's the same story as On A Clear Night, as unfortunately the vast majority of the album makes no impression on me whatsoever. But there is one song...

The Special Two. Goosebumps. Oh wow. These lyrics feel like a message direct from the soul, and they hit a very strong nerve with me. Especially the opening verse and chorus, which are particularly touching. Musically, it isn't particularly memorable, but the backing perfectly fulfils it's purpose of supporting the beautiful poetry.

Actually, there is a bit more to the album. Scar is a catchy little pop ditty, but unfortunately it has been flogged to death over the years. Ten Days has similar charms, and thankfully hasn't had to deal with being a victim of its own success.

Favourite songs

The Special Two

Worthwhile?

It's only one song... but if I have to be the proud owner of several Missy Higgins albums to be able to enjoy The Special Two, then so be it.

New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble- Step Forward

Step Forward, released in 2008, is the seventh album released by the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble since their formation in 1994.

Before jumping into the review, I must admit that I know only a few of the originals. Aside from being an embarrassing poor reflection on my jazz knowledge, it means that I'm approaching most of these covers without any context on the originals.

Case in point is Boogie Stop Shuffle. Mingus' hard-bop jazz is usually a bit too "out there" for me, but this injection of ska works brings it to life for me. Although it smooths out the original with its fantastic groove, the abrupt transitions are still present, nicely retaining some of the quirkiness of the original style.

The oddball theme is also put to great use in Wicked, which features a seriously funky vibe.
 
Linecheck Samurai cranks the energy higher, with it's jazzy-ska chaotic madness. Like Skazz at their rollicking best, the energy is wonderfully infectious. There's a lot in common with Skazz (not surprising I guess, given the name!), with Red Eye also sounding similar to a typical Skazz ballad.

I never thought a 5/4 time signature could possibly work for a ska song. But the band have somehow squeezed Take Five into a 1-drop style and the result is stunning. Even if it wasn't a cover of one of my all-time favourite songs, it would be a fantastic song in its own right. This version brings to the table a zinging guitar riff and the warm, crackling fill of a hammond organ. I guess this now means that Take Five is now two of my all-time favourite songs!

Similarly inspired is You Are My Love, which sounds to me like a pretty generic soap-opera theme. However, their infectious style has turned it into something unique and fantastic. Similarly, Feel Da Vibe is a well executed rocksteady instrumental. A personal highlight is the jazz flute sitting very nicely over the top.

Despite its ridiculously happy outlook, I just can't get into the reggae version of Welcome. But then Go Home has a similar approach and I really enjoy it, so there's no logical explanation. The backing horn parts are a highlight of Go Home, adding a rich level of layering. Finally (for this jumbled-up review, not the album itself), Kansas City does a great job at blurring the offbeat line between ska and r'n'b. Either way, it's a ball of fun.

Favourite songs

Boogie Stop Shuffle, Feel Da Vibe, Linecheck Samurai, Take Five, Wicked, Kansas City, You Are My Love, Go Home

Worthwhile?

Absolutely. It's a fantastic jazz sampler... with the added bonus of ska!