Customer Rating: 
Summary: More Than A lot
Comment: What can I say, along with London Elektricity's Syncopated City, one of the best drum n bass albums of 2008. I love the Plan B co-op, so soulful even if it does sound a bit Rage Against The Machine (in the best possible way of course). Eastern Jam has one of the heaviest bass lines outside of Jamaica and Streetlife says it all. Seriously good catch with influences from all over the dub step / d'n'b worlds and beyond. More Than A Lot.........
Customer Rating:
Summary: A veritable musical feast
Comment: After listening to this album for the umpteenth time, I've come to realise that its more than just a grower, its the musical equivalent of out-of-control japanese knotweed: it keeps on growing.
I wouldn't like to pigeon-hole it in to one particular genre, though clearly the currents of Drum 'n' Bass and Dubstep flow deep, and fans of either will be delighted by what's on offer.
OK so most of the album is Drum 'n' Bass. But to say so risks understating the obvious imagination thats gone into each of the tracks. Also the line-up on offer makes this album worth a look in its own right. Kano's rhymes are tight on the uptempo/hip-hop flavoured 'Against all Odds'. Plan B spits venomous lyrics and delivers enticing vocals (presumably the vocals are also his?), on what could be the album's standout track; 'Pieces'.
For fans of Drum 'n' Bass one or two tracks might be overly familiar, having been around a while (you'll know which these are). 'Music Club' is a fairly cheeky number. However having heard 'Music Club' on C&S's BBC Radio1 Essential Mix, (possibly the best EM of 2008), for some reason I thought it was either purely instrumental or incorporated the brooding lyrics of the following track on the Mix by Concept 2, neither of which is the case. Personally 'Music Club' was a bit of a let down (only because I got my wires crossed though!).
The final track leaves you wanting more; an astonishing ripping bassline balanced magically against subtle vocals that laments a failing relationship. I don't want to say too much more about the individual tracks but the bass on 'Smash TV' is earthquake inducing...
Overall, the sound and feel of the album is sharp and crisp and the production is tight throughout.
This album is a banger. Don't take my word for it though check it out for yourself.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Music (Drum & Bass or not) at its finest
Comment: This album is excellent. That should be sufficient, but to clarify, i'll say a few more words.
It pretty much delivers on every track, flows amazingly well as an album, combines various genres including soul, hip-hop, breakbeat and drum & bass (of course) in a very original way. I bought this album yesterday and I've probably listened to it over 10 times! I bought it just for the last track "Is it worth it" which I thought was original as I was not expecting the bassline, given the style of the song to begin with. But its always a risk buying an album for just 1 track, in case the rest of the album sounds like your ex-girlfriend's younger brother playing on his xylophone - original for all the wrong reasons or just plain terrible. But I have not been disappointed! I haven't been able to stop listening to it, and I haven't had this reaction to an album, especially a d&b album, for a long time.
I imagine there will be those hardcore d&b fans who say its not true to d&b, i.e. the same people that think Pendulum - Hold Your Colour, isn't true. Firstly, this album is better than Hold Your Colour, (which I think is a great album), but secondly, I'm not that concerned (and you shouldn't be either) with "true to" or "not true to" a particular genre. This album is just good music, pure and simple. That's where its strength lies (in my humble opinion), its not just a "drum & bass" album which alienates everyone except the 0.05% of the population who can continually bang their head to the same repetitive beat for 10 minutes and not pass out. For most of the tracks, you wouldn't realise its a d&b album specifically until the rhythm kicks in.
Like any good album, there are multiple amazing tracks: Pieces feat. Plan B interweaves a touching soulful melody with a vicious bass line, Eastern Jam is probably my favourite track, and for jungle fans Smash TV is great (yes, the word 'jungle' is mentioned). Music club is a jovial track, as its got a cheesy dj (ala the Fast Show), explaining how to construct a "massive club banger", but don't let the cheese fool you as the beat is quality. Its a testament that the selling point of the album, a feat. Kano song: Against All Odds, isn't even the best song in my opinion, but definitely adds another layer to the album.
I have never written a review before, but given the stupendous quality of this album, I feel compelled to tell anyone who hears about this album to not just contemplate getting it, get it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. And I was beginning to think there was nothing original out there anymore, wherever did I get that idea from?
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