Search - Fila Brazillia :: Mess

One of fila's best

Richard Diaz | 03/07/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album was is a very satisfying listening for me. As usual those Pork people don't fail to deliver their special mix of slow beats, d'n'b and warm atmosphere. For standout track listen to "soft music under stars" - evolving ambient track with sitar. PS- the tracklisting on this page is wrong as they missed most of the tracks(the cd has 14)"

A half-hearted effort from downtempo duo

Richard Diaz | 06/02/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Fila Brazilla are nothing if not two things, prolific and consistent. Therefore it took little time for the duo to crank out a follow-up to the excellent 1995 "Maim That Tune." Perhaps they ran low on ideas or found the challenge of repeating their prior success too daunting, because this lackluster effort of half-jams falls disappointingly flat.The first indicator this album is going to be a problem (well, besides the title) is the number of tracks it contains. It seems for lack of solid compositions they would explore 14 different sounds and see what developed. Therefore you get the piano ditty with radio samples of "Big Saddle," an amusing diversion but misplaced as track two. "Half Man Half Granary Thorax" has a nice start but ends within two minutes, left unexplored. There are some highlights among the clutter: the drum and bass with acoustical guitar and piano of "Last of the Red Hot Brethren," or "Space Hearse," which at track three is the first real gem of the bunch, featuring sine wave warbles, a lively bass, and a catchy, keyboard loop. But most of the album sounds like the band went into the studio and just jammed in their slow, mid-tempo, restrained style they're known for. That's a problem since their work is in electronic music style, meaning if the loops and ideas aren't sound, what could be hypnotic just becomes dull. Granted, the results are decent...for an example of competent playing. This is recommended only for the die-hard Fila Brazilla fan, or those wanting a CD they can throw on and tune out. Otherwise, stick to their Maim That Tune, or for those wanting a really diverse choice, their remix disc Brazillification."