3 replies to this topic

[Louis]

2004 seems like just the other day, doesn't it? Nothing out of the ordinary happened really, did it? Good year for music though. I was in that year The Go! Team came out left of field and released a stunningly creative debut album encompasing car chase music, 70's tv themes, 80's hip hop, blue, cheerleader chants, school orchestra sounds and good old fashioned indie rock and roll. The result? A Mercury nominated success which was sadly only picked up on by musicy folk and was left criminally ignored by the general public. Their single 'Ladyflash' is instantly recognizable to any UK resident, as their track 'Huddle Formation' is to most US residents. (Even if people aren't aware who the artists are).

Now in September 2007 their second album arrives in style, adding Jpop elements into the fray and evolving the sound into a more structured vocal experience. The album was sadly leaked recently (which I'm ashamed to admit is how I've been listening to it, though I have a physical copy on pre-order). So, I thought I'd give a track by track mini-review of what is in my view, the album of the year so far.

Grip Like a Vice ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=JvIRY4vccts ) - The first single to be release from the album and what kick starts the whole show. This features the guest vocals of two very nice lady MC's and sets the pace for the rest of the album. It's quick, hard and fast. Like a musical punch in the face. The sort of tune you'd hear in a a club that does exactly what you want, start and not slow down until the end. This got great reception in the UK dance scene and quite rightly so. A nice quirk about the album version is it opens with the same few chords as 'Panther Dash' of the first album, it's pleasantly disorientating to hear for the first time that way. Not exactly their best work though. 4/5

Doing it Right ( http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=p_LoSqyNmeo ) - They've been playing this track live for a good few years now, so hearing the studio version is a little strange at first. It's different to say the least. This litle wonder is terrible on first listen I must say, but worth letting grow on you, it soon stands out as a self-contained marvel. It's a 60's cheerleader chant with a chorus sung by an ex-jpop band leader. Mmm, makes you want to wear tye-dye , use copious amounts of hairspray and call everything groovy. 2/5 on first listen 4/5 after a few

My World ( http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-o8FOGC_Puc ) - Now this is what I like. Their instrumentals have always been something special and their sadly lacking on this album, so it's nice to have such a sweet sentimental one. Could well have been the finishing tack for the album, should have been I feel. 5/5

Titanic Vandalism - Another old live track that finally gets the studio treatment and what a transformation. The backing music is largely the same as the live version, heaving hitting brass, almost akin to a fight scene from an old 70's movie, but the vocals are very different this time round. Instead of being Ninja rapping about graffiti, we've now got cheerleaders chanting euphemisms about sex in detail. It's classic muffled lyrics that the first album employed so gracefully mind. A little wonder of a track that hits hard on first listen and keeps giving and giving and giving. 5/5

Fake ID - Now, most people who've heard it love it, I think said people need their ears checked quite frankly. It's got so much right, fun chorus chants, perfect backing music, but the main vocals just grate a little too much. I'll be interested to hear who provides these and I can imagine a live version being wonderful. The song emits youthful exuberance, but sadly I can't get over those main vocals (which would sound great in any other song, but the flutes used clash with the voice so much and I quite like flutes thank you very much). 2/5, but 4/5 if you can stand the vocals.

Universal Speech - Track of the album for many and I can understand the thinking behind this. Another chanty happy song, sure, but the guest vocals combined with the wonderful melodies provided by their drummer make this one to remember. 5/5

Keys to the City - Now this one does it for me, it really does. By far the best track they've done in my opinion. Strange praise for a song about skipping. The song is a much more indie rock then a lot of their other stuff, opening with simple guitar and drums instead of the usual brass orchestra, but it pays off. This is accompanied by an energetic chant about being "the hardcore jumpers" who "never fail", before breaking into a quick trombone sole followed by a lovely chorus sung by the drummer, who has an incredibly pretty voice as their other stuff has shown, it's so very, very deserving of a listen by everyone, it's a shame I have no link for it. 5/5 Best Track

The Wrath of Marcie ( http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t9o43Hc3n0Q very early live version) - Ninja and Kaiori complement each other perfectly, Kaiori is a great addition to the lineup. There's not much to say about this song other than this is a perfect example of the evolution of their music, it's much more organized than their old hip hop tracks and twice as good. The live video I linked to differs greatly from the album version it eventually became, so never mind it. 5/5

I Never Needed It So Much Right Now - It was a treat hearing their drummer provide vocals in the re-release of their first album, her voice sounds almost childlike in the recordings, so it's nice to her her playing off a childs voice, one in one earphone,the other in another, it's something quite special. Check out her long from the first album live here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GmZ40y3Ws&...ted&search= . 4/5

Flashlight Fight - Any self respecting rap fan knows Chuck D. Combine him with The Go! Team? Winner. Enough said. 5/5

Patricia's Moving Picture - The only other instrumental track on the album and it wind the whole experience off, it's a pretty tune, but not their best instrumental. 4.5/5

All in all I'll give the album a very respectable 4.8/5. Best thing out in ages, well worth picking when it's in stores.

Note - The first three youtube links were uploaded by the band themself, the rest have been used by the Band in various media in the past and would therefore be seen as promotion.

[Maki Izumii]

Oooh, this sounds like something worth getting into. I've heard the name before but never any of their music- thanks for the heads up!

edit: Holy crap I just realized who these guys were and that I have indeed heard their stuff before - Lumines II, duh (bottle rocket and heavenly star are two of my favorite songs in that game)

[Louis]

Do pick up the first album, it's spectacular.

Anyway, the band just updated their myspace with a link to a minimix of some of the songs on the new album one of their guitarists made

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Go%21+Team/_/...ive+Last.fm+mix

It doesn't really do any of the tracks justice, but it's worth a listen. Kaiori's mixes are usually pretty good, this one is just a little off I guess. Still worth a listen.

[Louis]

Just thought I might add that the entire album is up for listening on their myspace nowhttp://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=15120353

It also appears the first print in the US has a few extra tracks, damn my non-USness. Oh well, there's always iTunes.