Fat Freddys Drop - Based on a True Story

Fat Freddys Drop are a reggae/roots band from New Zealand who formed in the late 1990s. However it wasn't until 2005 that their first studio album, Based on a True Story was produced.

My favourite dub qualities of subtlety, a gentle build-up and the calming re-assurance of phat bass are all wonderfully present in the opening track Ernie. Unfortunately it starts feeling a bit tired after about 4 minutes, and then the upbeat section disrupts the subtle mood.

Cay's Crays brings all the dub goodness with a great horn melody, a nicely minimalist chorus, a trance-like feeling throughout and occasional punctuation with the calls of "fire!". I also really dig how the song gently ebbs and flows along. It is a real art to keep a song engaging for over 5 minutes with just minimal subtle changes, but Cay's Crays is an example of how Fat Freddys Drop hits the nail on the head.

This Room is more drum'n'bass than dub, but I appreciate the variety it provides for the album. Ray Ray also lacks an offbeat, therefore I hate it of course... just kidding! The start features a great driving groove, although I find it quite disjointed in the middle, due to the staccato section and the relatively large changes thereafter. However, all is forgiven when it comes together beautifully for the climax.

Dark Days is a vocal ballad style, and it just doesn't speak. Also I think the song feels confused towards the end, due to an overpowering dub-style bass guitar (or double-bass perhaps?) and kick-drum that doesn't suit the style or insert any meaningful energy.

Roady features an infectious rocksteady groove A++

The reason we're here is Wandering Eye. Or more specifically, that incredible tip-toeing bassline. It carries the song for 6 minutes, yet feels like it could go on forever. The creamy horn line, the mischievous lyrics, the subtle increase in intensity for the chorus, etc are all wonderful... but in the end they're all just supporting actors for that legendary bassline. (In my book, this album ends when the bassline does.)

Favourite songs

Cay's Crays, Ray Ray, Roady, Wandering Eye

Final thoughts

I have a very narrow-minded view of this album, but it still brings much enjoyment.

The Hives - The Black and White Album

The Hives are a Swedish garage rock band who released their first album in 1997. The Black and White Album is their fourth studio album, which was released in 2007.

Hate to Say I Told You So from Veni Vidi Viscous kind of makes an appearance here in the form of the catchy opener Tick Tick Boom. The simple riff-rock style risks becoming monotonous, but the genius of The Hives is that they know how to quit while they're still ahead.

Try It Again another (relatively) slow-paced song with another great riff and another catchy chorus. A minor gripe is that I question whether the screaming girls in the background adds anything to the song. But that's easily overcome by the highlight of the song for me: the great interplay between the two guitars. Bigger Hole To Fill brings more of the same goodness.

You Got It All... Wrong is getting closer to a traditional Ramones err, sorry, Hives song. There aren't many musical ideas going on here, but the backing vocals does make the chorus stand out nicely. Also, the keyboard in the pre-chorus brings some good contrast to proceedings.

It's all been quite traditional up until this point, but Well Allright kicks things up a gear with a super-catchy groove. The overblown gospel-preacher style of vocals works a treat with the soul-influenced styling. It's simply great fun and I don't have much more to say...

Hey Little World features the timeless recipe of riff-rock versus perfectly contrasting a bouncy, singalong chorus. Won't Be Long is more of the same, but at slightly higher tempo (and with a great Animals reference at the start of the lyrics). The plastic strings and synths are terribly cheesy... it's wonderful.

As a quirky interlude, A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors works a treat. Actually, the song also works a treat in its own right. For me it brings up images of sneaking around a mansion in a Spy-vs-spy style. The tongue-in-cheek funk of T.H.E. H.I.V.E.S. also provides variety and much enjoyment. Finally, I have no idea what style Giddy Up is?? Regardless, it's also a wonderfully oddball addition to the album.

Return The Favour is old-school raucous (and sometimes harsh) Hives. It's a nice throwback, but the song also illustrates how much the band has developed since the first few albums. 

In Puppet On A String, the band have graded thundering guitars and drums for a piano and subtle clicks. The result shows that quality songwriting can be completely engaging without needing any window dressing. This is perhaps another "oddball" song (although perhaps so many oddballs actually makes it the norm here?), but it's also one of my favourite songs on the album.

Favourite songs

Try It Again, You Got It All... Wrong, Well Allright, Hey Little World, A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors, Won't Be Long, T.H.E. H.I.V.E.S., Giddy Up, Puppet On A String, Bigger Hole To Fill.

Final thoughts

Similar to Green Day and The Living End, I regard The Hives as a band that has evolved very nicely over their career (but with the tongue still firmly embedded in cheek the whole time!).

And this album is heaps fun.