Fun Lovin Criminals - Classic Fantastic (ALBUM REVIEW)
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Written by Adam Simpson
The Fun Lovin’ Criminals have been around now since they formed in New York in 1993. There alternative hip hop/rock style and injections of jazz, funk and soul, coupled with comedy in the bands lyrics have generally been well accepted by the British Public with their past albums, although I doubt this album, Classic Fantastic will do much chart climbing.
There first album in 5 years and there 6th in total lacks any really good tracks and generally lacks any imagination, the lyrics are horribly simple, even with the inclusion of Roots Manuva on track 5, Keep On Yellin’ There are a few plusses, there’s some good beats and funky rhythms and some good retro 70’s soul, but there is no comedy or fun in the lyrics or vocals to really back up any of the musical merits.
Mars is the first track on the album, and it initially shows promise, it is certainly one of the better tracks on the album, but not a hit, its funky and upbeat with some good heavy bass and the vocals flow quite nicely, however when a sample from a voice that I can only imagine is Stephen Hawkings, claims “Fun Lovin’ Criminals are the shit” I can’t help but disagree.
Classic Fantastic is the next track and the album’s title track, like the last it’s a decent track, there’s musically some good things, the rhythm is good and there is a 70’s funk feel to the track but again Huey’s lyrics fail and that was always the great thing about this group.
The Originals gives us some decent heavy guitar riffs and then not much else, the attempts at rapping do nothing and it is unfortunately a bad track.
She Sings At The Sun is probably the best track on the album, it is laid back and has a good summertime feel, the music is upbeat and funky and has some good Latino sampling thrown in for good measure.
From here until Mister Sun at number 11 on the track list, the album really takes a nose dive, there’s some funky beats and upbeat rhythm here and there but overall it is unimaginative and uninspiring. Roots Manuva is used to assist with Keep On Yellin’ and even his lyrics fail to do anything other than highlight just how poor Huey seems to be performing. The albums rut continues and ends with track 10, How Low. Well the answer is very low and I doubt this album will climb anywhere other than very low up the album charts.
Mister Sun is a funky tune, it has a good laid back summertime feel and is somewhere close to the bands old sound, but not close enough, it is a decent listen though and is much needed following the last 6 tracks.
Rewind is cool and psychedelic, chilled out, soulful track. What it lacks in imagination it makes up for in 70’s soul and cool. Another pretty good track, but not a hit.
Get Your Coat ends the album and does so pretty well, funky sound and a good rhythm, but again it is let down lyrically. A reasonable track to end a reasonable album.
All in all this album is ok, average, nothing more, the good tracks are not great and the poor tracks awful. The group have definitely lost their sound and lyrical wit. Only time will tell how well the album sells in the UK market, which is where the group have been successful in the past, but I doubt this one will do too well at all. I'd save my money and look elsewhere for my next musical purchase.
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The Originals gives us some decent heavy guitar riffs and then not much else, the attempts at rapping do nothing and it is unfortunately a bad track.
