Albums I Heard In September

Bit late again, sadly and only heard two albums in September. But here they are...


Klaxons-Surfing The Void
Along with MGMT's 'Congratulations', this is one of the most difficult second albums of recent times. Surfing The Void is the final result of an album recorded several times over, due to the apparent "denseness" of the original recordings. Now it's arrived, it has left the top 40 in less than a month, a huge disappointment from the Mercury Prize winners. Still, musically how does it add up? Well, it's certainly a step away from their 'new rave' days, and is a far more mature and 'indie' sounding record. Things get off to a good start with Echoes, at first slight but with more listens becomes quietly compelling. Most of the other tracks do not fare as well, the title track is a clear attempt to make a proper indie psychadelic tune, but it just stutters around without any kind of hook or genuine trippy-ness. The record is not helped by production from Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot) who creates a dense, murky texture and is totally unsuited to this particular indie dance band. It's a shame that sessions with James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) floundered, as his production on the first album helped push the Klaxons above a lot of the dross around at the time and promising tracks like Valley of Calm Trees, reminiscent of 'Magick' lack the impact they should have, while other tracks like 'Extra Astronomical' are instantly forgettable. Still, there's no denying there is a definite dip in songwriting quality here, and as a result Surfing The Void is not only disappointing, but it's also dull. Perhaps with no doubt far less pressure from the record label and public, they can produce a decent third album.


Big Boi-Sir Luscious Leftfoot: Son Of Chico Dusty
The long awaited solo debut (or sophomore, if you count Speakerboxx) from one of the Outkast lads is a superb piece of work, terrific fun, worthy of the Outkast brand and sits well alongside his protegee Janelle Monae's album as one of the years' best. Much like the best of Outkast's work alongside their predecessors (Prince, Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone) Big Boi's debut indiscriminately takes elements of black and white music, old and new and makes it sound totally contemporary. Single 'Shutterbug', much like 'Stylo' off the Gorillaz album, doesn't sound like an immediate choice for a single but it creeps up and stays with you and is a low key hit. Elsewhere, the bombastic 'General Patton' is a massive onslaught, brass band and choirs galore sounds suitably ambitious and early track 'Turns Me On' is the kind of low key club track Big Boi does best. If there are any criticisms, it's that the album is slightly overlong...though it would be hard to tell what tracks to cut from here. Also it's a pity the Andre 3000 collaborations aren't present, though this is the reason for the album's long delayed release. Either way, mixed in with some truly bizarre lyrics ("The David Blaine" is an immediate standout) and great guest spots from Janelle Monae, Jamie Foxx and George Clinton amongst others, this is a superb record and more than wets ones appetite for the next Outkast album.


Album Of The Month: Big Boi's though even if I'd listened to more I'm sure it would still be the best.