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 Avalanches - Since I Left You

The Avalanches are an electronica-chillout group who formed in 1997. This is their debut album, which was released in 2000.

We've been in this situation before, dear reader. As much as I try, electronica is often too far outside of my interests, so it's appeal usually just boils down to catchy pop hooks. 

The title track, Since I Left You, is a case in point. I kinda dig the soothing melody for background music, but it doesn't retain my attention for focused listening.

Then we have the slick, inoffensive corporate vibes of Radio (which reminds me of the band Madison Avenue) and a Beastie Boys-esque disjointedness in several songs, such as Close To You.

However, special mentions go out to A Different Feeling for its nice phat groove, and to Two Hearts in 3/4 Time for the contrast provided by its 6/8 time signature. Also, Etoh has a delicate and intriguing intro, which leads into instruments gently drifting in and out. It's quite dub-esque in its feel, therefore I'm a fan.

Frontier Psychiatrist is a cracker in my book, and the reason that I bought this album. Its references to mental health problems are probably in poor taste these days, but I really dig the whimsical attitude, complete with random horse sounds. The retro-styled groove is wonderfully entrancing (but its flow gets broken several times, which is very frustrating).

Live At Dominoes is a hidden treat that appears towards the end. With a phat groove and cheeky references coming in from all angles, it's a masterpiece. So despite all my whingeing above, I'd love to see The Avalanches in concert.

Favourite songs

A Different Feeling, Frontier Psychiatrist, Etoh, Live at Dominoes

Final thoughts

There's a few good times here, but it's another electronica album where I'm missing the point.

Pnau - Changa

This is the fifth album from electronica band Pnau. It was released in 2017, five years after Good Morning to the Night.

Things start off well with Save Disco... initially. The thic bass and trance-like groove present a snappy and engaging experience. However there isn't much progression throughout the song, so by the end I feel that it has outstayed its welcome.

Chameleon is inoffensive and I'd really enjoy it as part of a club/bar atmosphere. If it sounds like damning it with faint praise, yes unfortunately it doesn't hold my interest for active listening.

Skipping ahead to the largely unintelligible madness that is Changa, I'm a huge fan. It's very catchy and wonderfully cheesy. I could only take Changa in limited doses, but on those occasions it's a barrel of joy.

In My Head brings a nice change-of-pace to proceedings. I can't put my finger on why, but I really enjoy it. Then Into the Sky brings some Moby influences to the album. Again, I'm not sure why, but it doesn't appeal to me.

For many other songs, I'd written down various nitpicky attempts to justify why it doesn't appeal, but I guess that in the end it's just a style I'm not really into.

However, there's one last treat in store with Changes. Like a cowbell or offbeat guitar, I reckon a children's choir is always a recipe for success. Changes makes great use of it to round out the experience in a wonderfully understated manner.

 

Favourite songs

Changa, In My Head, Changes

 

I diggit?

It's possible I haven't given this album enough listens to properly appreciate it. On the other hand, maybe it'd be just forcing the issue on something that's just not my cup of tea.

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.

Various- Verve Remixed

Released in 2002, this is the first in the series of eight compilations.

But it's not for me. This style of electronica isn't something that naturally appeals to me, so it was always going to be an uphill battle for this album.

The reason I bought it was Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby, thanks to it's quirky twist using drum'n'bass'n'horn (is it trombone or French horn? I'm not sure). Even without the jazz reference, I really enjoy this as an instrumental song in its own right. And the classic lyrics on top fit nicely and are the icing on the cake.

On the other hand, Feelin' Good is just the awkward shoehorning of sampled lyrics onto a generic electronica template. It's tacky feels like nothing more than a blatant name-dropping of the brilliant original.

See-line Woman features jazz flute! Yes!! It's also nicely different to the rest of the album, thanks to the combination of the gypsy-jazz beat with work-song influence. While it all works together very nicely, unfortunately I couldn't maintain 10 minutes worth of attention to it.

To prevent any more of my whingeing, I'll end the review here. Overall, the style is ok as "end of the night" background music for a swanky bar, but it's never something I'd actively listen to.

Favourite songs

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby

Would I buy it again?

No.

Berlin Calling- Soundtrack

This is Paul Kalkbrenner's soundtrack to the 2008 movie.

The opening song, Aaron, is unfortunately a bit conflicted. On one hand the groove is nicely chill, but the staccato melody is quite tense.

Speaking of strange sensations, somehow the bass of Torted feels like it's sucking at your ears. It may sound like I'm going mad, but it's true! And quite unpleasant. While I'm on my recording quality high-horse, many songs have a strange effect in the mid-bass which feels oppressive and fatiguing to me. If you're unable to dial it out, this could make the album unlistenable on some speakers or headphones. Some other songs have a strong sharpness to the treble, so overall it's quite a... ahem... "challenging" album to listen to.

Azure is nicely captivating, despite the lack of a standout melody. It just hangs off a simple groove, a lovely synth sound and wonderful layering. And, as per much of this album, the genius is in the timing. The rhythm is repeated over and over, then just before boredom sets in, a subtle change is made to keep things fresh. It is perfectly executed.

Since minimalist techno is already at the edge of my musical taste, the more experimental songs (such as Queer Fellow and Bengang) are a bit much for me. I'm a bit surprised that Queer Fellow is the 2nd track on the CD, its contrasting style seems better suited to mix things up later in the album.

The pop song of the album, Sky and Sand, hits the nail on the head, with great hooks and a strong chillout/feelgood vibe. Train has wonderful layering and a fantastic melody. These are my favourite songs on the album.

Altes Kamuffel, QSA and Castenets all have a great upbeat feel, which reminds me of Moby (although this might be a completely uneducated statement from someone barely familiar with electronica!)

Favourite songs

Azure, Sky and Sand, QSA, Castenets, Train

Worthwhile?

Aside from a couple of songs, the overall effect for me is that it isn't an album I would concentrate on or find memorable afterwards. This isn't a criticism, because it works well as a chillout album or for watching the world flash by (eg while staring out the window of a train).

However, as the token "minimal techno" album in my collection, Berlin Calling hits the nail on the head.

Fatboy Slim- Better Living Through Chemistry

This is the 1996 debut album that shot Fatboy Slim to fame.

And it starts out quite badly for me. The funky percussion and beats are brilliant, but the main melodic element of the song is a letdown. For example, the keyboard riff of Song For Lindy is charmless right from the outset. Similarly, Santa Cruz's cheesy glam-rock guitar riff quickly wears out its welcome and the song ends up sounding like a watered-down attempt at The Prodigy's style. I actually quite enjoy the riff from Going Out of my Head, but since it's forced to carry the whole song with very little assistance, in the end it also gets tedious.

Things improve dramatically when the phat synth melody (sounding a bit like a tesla coil!) kicks in for  The Weekend Starts Here. The menacing, slower tempo also works a treat. The only gripe is I don't like the vocal sample, but the wonderful contrasts provided by the gentle harmonica sections more than makes up for it.

As for the recording quality, I always find electronica hard to judge. The highly-processed sound of the instruments (eg drums, guitars) isn't my cup of tea, but I guess this goes with the genre.

Not relying on a lead melody allows Give the Po' Man a Break to shine through as a wonderfully layered song. With the backbone of a great percussion beat, I really dig the multitude of sounds thrown into the mix throughout the song.

First Down would have been perfect on the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack! The bebop influences are brilliantly combined with the funky beat and electric elements. The end result is a song which is uniquely mysterious and catchy.

Favourite songs

The Weekend Starts Here, Give the Po' Man a Break, First Down

Worthwhile?

For me, it is a nice addition to the small electronica part of my collection.

But the lesson from this album is that when a single riff is used to carry the whole song, it gets old very quickly. However, when the limelight is shared around more equally, brilliance ensues.

Massive Attack- Mezzanine

Released in 1998, Mezzanine is Massive Attack's third album, as well as the most commercially successful.

I'd better preface this review with the disclaimer that industrial/electronica isn't a style I usually appreciate, so for me to like any songs at all is a small miracle!

The fundamental conflict about this album for me is that to appreciate all the wonderful sounds layered into each other, it needs to be listened to loud. But I prefer the album in a chillout sense, which doesn't really work when its cranked. This is probably more that I don't "get" this style rather than any problem with the album.

Speaking of the wonderful sounds- wow, the bass! This album is not afraid to give your subwoofer a workout, and thankfully it's never droney. In combination with all the strange birds randomly whizzing across the soundstage (aka heavy usage of stereo effects) it makes for a wonderful alien landscape.

Angel is a brilliant opening track, thanks to the smooth lyrics sitting gently on top of the aggressive and infectious beat. Somehow it's both headbanging and gently hypnotic at the same time.

The combination of rimshots, harpsichord and female vocals are a match made in heaven on Teardrop. Similarly, Dissolved and Black Milk also incorporate female vocals to great effect.

Exchange and Group Four are too sparse for my liking. And while I really dig the lyrics of Risingson, the bassline and chorus don't appeal. The cover of Man Next Door is a solid effort, with the understated vocals very well suited to the lyrics great narrative. While I prefer the more dub-influenced versions of this song (due to the extra "smoothness" in their groove), this is also an enjoyable interpretation.

Favourite songs

Angel, Teardrop, Man Next Door, Black Milk 

Worthwhile?

Yes. Although I said earlier that this album is conflicted for me, on the other hand it works pretty well as either full-volume electronica or soothing background music.

The Prodigy- Fat Of The Land

Fat Of The Land is The Prodigy's third album. It was released in 1997, three years after Music For A Jilted Generation. It was also a hugely successful album, responsible for the band's transition from an obscure rave band to international superstars.

The term "electro-punk" was invented to describe The Prodigy, and I think it sums up this album perfectly. It is an album to take you out of your mundane daily life and transport you to a lawless warehouse of underground wonder.

When turned up loud (as one must for The Prodigy!), the recording quality reveals itself to be fantastic. There are many great electronic samples swimming around in a wonderful interplay, and stereo effects are very well executed. Surprisingly, the bass doesn't actually extend very deep, but nonetheless there's still plenty there to get the walls shaking...

However I have always found the album hit and miss. The "miss" parts are mostly songs which are more drum'n'bass or rap influenced, which isn't really my cup of tea.

But Breathe and Climbatize are outstanding songs; they are among my all-time favourites. Breathe perfectly conveys the lawless insanity of an underground warehouse rave. The layering and flow of Climbatize is brilliant, throughout the song the alien sounds drift in and out yet somehow it all sounds perfectly natural. I have no idea what the message or scene of the song is, but whatever it is sure is epic!

Two of the songs have grown on me in recent years. I now really enjoy the spiritual influence to Narayan. And I used to think that Funky Shit was just the poor cousin of Breathe. While the vocal sample is cheesy and it doesn't hit the same heights as Breathe, Funky Shit is still enjoyable in its own right.

Favourite songs

Smack My Bitch Up, Breathe, Narayan, Climbatize

Would I buy it again?

Yes. Nearly 20 years on(!), this album has turned out to be a timeless classic.