Customer Reviews

Mayonnaise

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The Longpigs was always one of the better of the second wave of Britpop. They disappeared in 2000. Richard Hawley continued on with Pulp and a healthy solo career. Lead singer Crispin Hunt turned to writing for magazines and book projects. Now he has hooked up with Howie B and Will O'Donovan and done a whole album. They are called Mayonnaise. Some Howie B projects of the past have been dodgy, hit or miss. But Mayonnaise is wonderful. This record is a healthy mixture of good pop songs and electronic music. It is a very English affair. The song "Blueberry" has that Ray Davies vibe going on. "Because Of The Weather" reminds me of some of the last Longpigs record. There are some instrumentals, which seem like Brian Eno or tracks on the Swim label. A curious album.

The trio of Mayonnaise features Howie B.'s trademark abstract downtempo, with Crispin Hunt and Will O'Donovan on vocal duties. The results come off quite well -- going from O'Donovan's emo vocals on the "Death Defying" to Hunt's more aggressive stylings on "To My Head." Howie B's musical eclecticism is on full display as well: from the swinging growl of "Because of the Weather" to the melodic glitches of "Let's Get Out" or the delicate romanticism of "Wild-Eyed Soul" or "Sky Came Down." Instead of your normal emo, here's electronic emo! Guess which one is better?

This is a really really great record. I discovered it at the library, never heard of it before, saw Howie B's name on it so thought it would be cool. I hope I don't offend anyone but I like it more than Radiohead's attempts at combining electronica and rock. Also sounds a bit like Eno. Why they picked such a dumb name for such an amazing record is baffling. Name aside, you need this.