Soundboy Rock

Soundboy Rock
Seven albums in, and if Groove Armada show no sign of handing in their chill-out crowns, Soundboy Rock suggests London’s popular downbeat alchemists are more eager than ever to branch out. As the title suggests, this is an album that plays down Groove Armada’s cocktail-supping Balearic side in favour of a more robust sound inspired by hip-hop, house and dub reggae. Immediate highlights are “Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control)”, which could almost be a long-lost Madonna single of the ’80s, but for the fact it features ex-Sugarbabe Mutya Buena on vocals; and the title track, a simmering reggae skank that sees Groove Armada joined by their MC, MAD, and Hard-Fi’s Richard Archer on melodica. It’s a surprisingly guest heavy record - also on board is Alan Donohue of The Rakes, soul queen Angie Stone, Tony Allen of The Good, The Bad, And The Queen, and Simon Lord of Simian Mobile Disco. Being old hands now, however, Groove Armada are wise not to let this celebrity cavalcade distract them from the matter at hand - that is, making bouncy, unpretentious dance music that balances a crate-digger’s taste with maximum mainstream appeal. –Louis Pattison

Customer Review: Mixed bag of tracks
After “Vertigo” and, even more so, the excellent “Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)”, I’ve got to admit this is something of a letdown. Though this is by no means bad (in the traditional sense), it’s a very mixed bag of tracks most of which are much too radio-friendly for my taste and more often than not sound a bit shallow to these ears. No real standouts, unfortunately. PS: “Song 4 Mutya” doesn’t have anything to do with Madonna, Human League or A Flock of Seagulls (oh my God!), for that matter. The riff and groove are culled from “Let’s Be Adult” by Arto Lindsay & Ambitious Lovers from their excellent 1984 album “Envy”.

Customer Review: Progression Is A Wonderful Thing!
I’ve been a sporadic lover of the “Armada” tending to gravitate toward the mighty Faithless and Groove Armada’s poppier twin Basement Jaxx, (my own opinion natch..), I have to admit my interest was fired up again because of two things, watching the live gig on DVD (in a very smokey Amsterdam coffee shop, go figure), plus finding out that the equally smokey Mutya Buena was to collaborate. Well,I have to report Groove Armada are back with an outing of gargantuan proportions, the Yello tinged “Hasta Luego” opener to the Bambataa beats of “Save Our Soul”, Ibiza tinged grooves of “The Things We Could Share” and the AWESOME “Feel The Same”, (available on the *bonus tracks release)vie with the laid back feel of title track “Soundboy Rock” , (surely a nod to let the fans know that the ‘Groove is still a toking ensemble?). Theres also Orb-like atmospherics “Whats Your Version/s”, including great dance structures “Get Down”, “Lightsonic”, “All The Girls Say” and “Drop That Thing “. Which brings me to “Song For Mutya/Out Of Control” which seems to draw mainly on the sounds of the 80’s, Human League/A. F. O. S. (ask your Dad..),Depeche Mode and maybe even a wee bit Big Audio Dynamite? All in a noughties style this will grow to be THE summer 2007 sing along hook, fantastic! Add in a handful of Groove Armada ecleticity and your there. (*Get the bonus tracks versh ‘k?)

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