Stainless Style

by

Neon Neon

Edit

This album was a bit of a surprise. I had no expectations at all about it. I'm familiar with Boom Bip but wouldn't necessarily call myself a fan. I haven't really payed attention to his career besides what little he did with Doseone back in the days. What really inspired me to check this band out was Gruff Rhys. For those not familiar with Gruff by name, he is the lead singer of Super Furry Animals. I'll tell you what, this band is pretty great...

It's an electronic 80s throwback album and the production is stellar. Gruff's voice works really nice with the production too. This album is a true gem.

"I Told Her In Alderaan" is my favorite. From the moment it begins, the 80s electronic melodies sound so pure it's hard to believe in came out in 2008 and not 1988. "I Lust U" is another great song. It's got a great dance beat and is just completely hypnotic. "Steel Your Girl" is a subtle, melodic gem. "Dream Girls" sports another incredible beat on the album with some 50s inspired vocal melodies. It's pretty good... I am just a big fan of this album. "Raquel" is like a pure 80s disco number. "Belfast" has an amazing melody to it. "Michael Douglas" is an atmospheric dance song.

All of those songs are stellar. There is something I don't like about this album, however. There are 3 songs on here that feature rapping. They just don't fit with the rest of this album and doesn't make much sense being here. I'll tell you what though, out of these songs, "Luxury Pool" isn't half bad.

These guys do an excellent job creating a homage to electronic and rock bands of the 80s who obviously influenced their direction such as The Cars, Depeche Mode, The Fixx and so on.

This album is awesome. It's as simple as that. I am completely blown away by it and am a giant fan of this act. I sincerely hope this is not the only album these guys will collaborate on because I just want more more more right now! Don't stop, please, give us more!

This album zooms off with a great start. The first song "Neon Theme" is a great instrumental intro. The following three songs are quite catchy and good as well. "Dream Cars" has a simple yet catchy drum beat and reminds me a little bit of the new Keane album. The next song "I Tod Her On Alderaan" has a Gary Numan (get it the guy who did the song "Cars") synth vibe and feel to it. "Raquel" has a repetitive (slash) haunting feel that will "stick" in your head - in a good way.

But the reason why I give this album 3.5 stars, is that the rap / hip-hop songs on the album are pretty wretched and are unneeded. Don't really want to know or care about the reason(s) for doing the rap songs. Also, the 3.5 stars because of Gruff Rhys voice (the singer from Super Furry Animals) who sings the songs that aren't rap/hip-hop. Why is Gruff's voice a negative to the album, well if you aren't a fan of his voice, then you might not enjoy the rest of the album. Now don't get me wrong; I'm not dissing Gruff's voice (in fact I like SFA; especially the song "Rings Around the World") but at times it can get a little annoying. And with the bothersome rap songs followed by a Gruff song for the last half of the album - this is what stalls this album out. In other words good singles and a good beginning for the album but then it swerves off the road for the second half. Please see the two exceptions on the last half of the album below

For the beginning and for these two later songs in the album; you should at least give this album a spin. : "I Lust You" has a super catchy synth beat and some sexy and sultry guest vocals by Cate Le Bon. "Belfast" again has a 80's / Gary Numan feel to it that is worth a listen.