Propellerheads - Decksandrumsandrockandroll

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Free Music Notes for Decksandrumsandrockandroll

Free Music Review: Propellerheads appeal goes beyond Big Beat
Hit: 5 Stars

"Decksandrumsandrockandroll," the freshman effort from Alex Gifford and Will White, is not really a "freshman" disc. These guys have been around and making music for a few years, but have been releasing their songs one at a time on 12" vinyl singles. So, unless you're a disc jockey, chances are you haven't heard of these guys; and that's too bad, really, `cause this is some of the coolest music you're likely to hear. Fortunately for all of us though, the lads culled together their previously released stuff and added some new material to the mix for their first full-length project.

By now - ! especially if you watch MTV - you're likely to be familiar with the first track from this disc. "History Repeating" is a bold cut with a retro-sixties feel that somehow still manages to feel like it belongs in the coming new millennium. The music alone, with its bosa nova feel, is enough to make your fingers snap and your hips sway, but in a stroke of genius, these English wags wrangled a performance out of the inimitable Shirley Bassey. Best known for singing the themes to Bond movies "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds Are Forever," Bassey's sultry vocals wrap around this track like silk, making it simultaneously irresistible and mesmerizing.

"Spybreak," and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," are two other tracks that'll leave you with the same feel. The former was their third single, while the latter originally appeared on an album of Bond covers called "Shaken and Stirred" produced by David Arnold (another disc well wort! h getting).

The first cut on the disc, "Take Califor! nia" also predates the full-length project, but it hasn't lost any of its appeal. While the sound is unmistakably different from the orchestral feel of the above-mentioned songs, it still has the sound of something distinctly "Propellerheads," and it gets the CD off to a fun start.

"Velvet Pants," the second track, is sample heavy and is already getting good responses from dance crowds - even right here in Salt Lake City. The song is a great example of the drum-n-bass style, and will hook you with its warm, friendly bass progression and catchy, if not quirky, lyrical samples.

Other favorite tracks of mine on this CD are: "360° (Oh Yeah?)," featuring De La Soul; "Bigger?" another track chock full of fun vocal samples; and "You Want It Back" featuring Jungle Brothers.

The two cuts which seemed most out of place to me are "Better?" and "Bang On!" Even though they are stylistically well matched to the! other material on the disc, the hard guitar edges to these songs make them stand out glaringly from the other tracks. Even at that however, on their own, they are nonetheless satisfying songs.

The verdict then? Take California and call me in the morning.

Seriously though, if you're looking for something a little different from what's playing on pop radio; something a little more progressive than even the gang at the alternative stations are playing; and something a bit more hip than you're hearing at your favorite club, this is the CD for you.

I'd been hearing about these guys for years. Now that I've heard them, I'm convinced. "Decksandrumsandrockandroll" is a must-have addition to any collection. Don't just sit there; go get it now.

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