It's a pretty rootsy reggae album that still introduced some rock and funky elements in places, which kept it decently fun and interesting. The production was pretty interesting, too, as it incorporated techniques from more mainstream music like more creative panning, as well as use of special effects like reverb, delay and flange to create a more psychedelic soundscape. I however, didn't like how the bass in some of the tracks was causing the rest of the mix to distort, but it got noticeably better in other places, which also meant the mix was a litle inconsistant.
The players on this album are locked in, playing consistantly and tightly on tempo and rhythm the entire way through all the songs. Concrete Jungle is probably the best example of a song on the album that has all the musicians playing well together, but also incorporates more rock and funk elements that i mentioned earlier.
I have to add that this is a very political album, and it is not a hidden message or anything metaphorical at all, just an upfront longing for love and peace, the best example being lyrics in the songs Stop That Train and No More Trouble.
Baby We've Got a Date was the first skip on the album, having no real substance aside from being a sex song and the same rhythm as the song before, same goes for Kinky Reggae, which is my least favourite song from this album. As for my favourites, Stop That Train and Stir It Up are probably among the better and more interesting songs, for having a more unique feel and rhythm, as well as harmonic elements. A super nice solo makes its way into Stir It Up, which was a great surprise. More improvisation and jamming would have been very welcome on this album.
Overall, Catch a Fire is a simple, relaxing and fun album, and is the roots of modern reggae music. Although i did ultimately get bored around halfway through every song, with the exception of a few, it was an enjoyable listen.
Track scores:
Concrete Jungle 3/5
Slave Driver 3/5
400 Years 3/5
Stop That Train 4/5
Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby) 2/5
Stir it Up 4/5
Kinky Reggae 1/5
No More Trouble 3/5
Midnight Ravers 4/5
This was a super fun listen! Much more my thing.
Melody A.M. is in the roots of electronic music. I had never before heard of electronic musical duo Röyksopp, but I am enlightened. This album effectively fused house music with live instrumentation and creative sampling in an atmospheric and psychedelic way, almost forming rhythmic audio collages with funky basslines and broken beats under soft lush synths and pads as well as occasional vocals and lead instruments. I was really taken away by some of these songs, which often grew and evolved beyond their first form, leading to a truly entrancing experience in places.
So Easy is the first song on the album, and sets the mood perfectly for the album, and also had a cool ending / transition into the next song, which was just as good. Vocals and improvisation occasionally wove their way into this album’s track, such as the sampled vocals on Sparks and synth solos throughout. In Space has an awesome halftime feel with a cool drumbeat and string pads that mirrored the sound of string arrangements in funk and soul music, however I didn’t like the fade out at the end. Poor Leno is super house-y, with a strong backbeat and bassline carrying the song. Röyksopp’s Night Out is a longer track, clambering over the eight minute mark while maintaining interest and keeping me engrossed in it through its constantly evolving form and progression. Remind Me is probably my least favourite, not much to say about it. She’s So had some really fabulous progression - different parts that were connected well and flowed nicely together. The outro track is a little uninteresting, but works well as an outro.
I was really hoping for better transitions between songs, since they are all so similar in their soundscapes and atmosphere, they could have progressed into one another easily.
Overall, Melody A.M. is again an enthralling and psychedelic musical experience that perfectly blends together electronics with organic instrumental performances and vocals. Because of how much I enjoyed grooving to this amazing project, I am going to have to give Melody A.M a 4/5!
Track scores:
So Easy 5/5
Eple 5/5
Sparks 3/5
In Space 3/5
Poor Leno 4/5
A Higher Place 4/5
Röyksopp’s Night Out 5/5
Remind Me 3/5
She’s So 5/5
40 Years Back \ Come 3/5
