Customer Reviews

Care in the Community

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Fans of Portishead may have bought the first single off of their debut album. The song was 'Sour Times', and one of the tracks on that single is called 'Tribute to Monk and Canatella'. When I came across this album shortly after it's release, I bought it because I figured that any group that Portishead were fans of was a group that I wanted to hear. I was not disappointed. The male vocals sort of go against the typical formula of trip-hop, however, they are incidental. The most impressive thing about this album is the beats. Downtempo and heavy, they evoke the moody atmospherics of Tricky and their labelmates Purple Penguin. 'Roughead', with it's sweeps of melancholy strings and the lyric, "I cannot say my loneliness has gone, cause I know it well, it follows me through all my days" fading in and out of the mix, is the obvious classic. 'Apology' and 'Flying High' are also standouts. This album might not be available forever, so if it sounds like something that you would like, pick it up while you can. -Similar artists: Skinny, Massive Attack, Statik Sound System, Bowery Electric, Sneaker Pimps.

In a broad sense, you could call Monk & Canatella's debut, CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, trip-hop, but it merges strange, noisy indie-folk into the beats, and the results are, as the title suggests, "Darkus Twisted." The sonic palette (discordance, feedback, scratching) at times suggests Portishead (the retro intro and outro of "Out of "Here" and "Top Yourself" help reinforce the notion), but Jim Johnston's vocals take on a complete different timbre and mood. As for moods, there's plenty of moody soul on "Apology" and rolling darkness on "Roughead." And despite the threatening talk at the start of "Forthcoming," it also provides lamenting lyrics, as well as tenderness on "Chelsea Smile" and "Lucy Gray." But the track that everyone will remember them for is "I Can Water My Plants," with its chugging beat and slightly melancholy chorus. It's a keeper, so take care.

1. Darkus Twisted

2. Out Of Here

3. Flying High

4. Apology

5. Roughead

6. Forthcoming

7. Chelsea Smile

8. This Time It's Different

9. Top Yourself

10. Lucy Gray

11. I Can Water My Plants

12. Trout