Search - Bent Fabric :: Jukebox

Quite good.

Benjamin Norman | Washington DC | 03/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I bought this album. All I knew is that a song called "Jukebox" was on the top 50 dance club play list for Billboard, and so far I was enjoying a lot of what was on that list. So I bought the CD, blind faith and all that jazz.



Well Jazz is what I got. And house, and electro, and funk. This album is a melting pot of different styles, influences, and directions. It is fused together with expert skill and delivers fun like nobody's business.



The album is a bit of a journey, hard to separate into individual songs as it is just too much fun to listen to chopped up. However, the songs are delicious alone, but since when is a meal better when the parts are enjoyed separately? I'll do my best to appease those looking for a breakdown though.



Bam Boogie, the first song, is reminiscent of Fatboy Slim at his poppiest. Actually, a lot of this album can be summed up in that fashion, but that would be an unfair copout. It is a fun, funky bassline accompanied by a jazzy piano and husky vocal that wouldn't be far removed in a reggae track.



Jukebox, the big leading single, follows the trail Bam Boogie blazes, this time however, providing more defined lyrics for those of us who enjoy them. This is far poppier and radio-friendly. You've heard this song.



Haven't You Noticed reminds me a lot of Esthero, in ways you'd have to listen to understand.



Blowout and Alley Cat are instrumental. Blowout is in the style of the album whereas Alley Cat seems an homage to the original Bent Fabric.



Shake is another hit, and hits all the right notes to make you believe you've heard it before. If only you could figure out where!



It Feels Like Love is the most dancey song on the album, and that's tough with the "shake your moneymaker" beats splayed all over the tavern-room piano. It is an out-and-out house track, complete with lovelorn male vocals and a beautiful bassline. A standout track.



Both tracks voiced by Nellie Ettison are fantastic. Just Be There For Me is a slower-paced love song, but retains enough personality to give it that extra something that makes it memorable. Relax Boy is a trip into Acid Jazz, the frantic beats providing a lush background for Nellie's amazing vocal stylings. These are two of the best tracks on the album.



Keep On Rising is actually in the same vein of Just Be There For Me, a bit faster, and with male vocals. It also hints at secret things for those who wait.



The remixes take the interesting songs and change them in sometimes subtle, sometimes great ways. Ralphi Rosario takes Jukebox to the dancefloor with a house-driven sound that Spanish Fly seems to doff in their remix. It retains the poppiness while giving it a more formulaic beat. Spanish Fly's mix of Shake, however, is quite fun. It is Hit & Run's remix of Alley Cat that shines though, and I recommend it.



Take a listen to this folks. You won't regret it."