Customer Reviews

Soundboy Rock

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yeah, I see all the complaining from some fans and reviewers, but I think they're missing something -- this album is great for hanging out and keeping good times rolling. Sure, there is a pop veneer here, but behind this are psychedelic, mind-bending tricks, from the elastic bass line in "Get Down" to the searing digitalism of "Lightsonic."

Groove Armada have also transformed from being great album producers to a great live act. So the album is more of a taster of their feverish live jams and experiments. I just saw them at LA's Hollywood Bowl, and their 15-minute final suite, incorporating "Superstylin," was on a level that most artists, electronic or not, cannot even begin to touch. What was even more stunning was the music, cradling this classic track, that is not featured on any album. The whole Bowl went nuts. These guys are clearly still at the top of their game.

I really dig this album. As usual with GA it's hit and miss but the hits really make up for the misses in this one!

I read the reviews of Groove Armada's newest CD and almost didn't order it. I decided to try it with the lowest of expectations and was pleasantly surprised. This is a very fun CD, and while I am still listening to pick up the nuances of each song, I am delighted at how pleasant that journey is.

Groove Armada has given up their melodious downtempo of albums past (the less said about _Lovebox_, the better) in favor of some dub soul and rock funk on _Soundboy Rock_. So when Stush takes the mic for the beatdown "Get Down" or Simon Lord hovers above the indie-tinged "The Things That We Could Share," you're in for a whole new Groove Armada. But they haven't lost their knack for melody, either: "What's Your Version" has a sweetness about it; "Paris" is a semi-Gallic slice of soul; and "From the Rooftops" drifts about quite nicely. If you just want to get your party on, switch over to "The Girls Say," an old-skool acid-electro 80s flashback. But, for my taste, nothing matches the pure pop confection of "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)," an infectiously catchy track that goes from Gary Numan-style electro to some New Order-style rock dance, all anchored by the unwavering voice of Mutya (late of the Sugarbabes). It's a pure blast of joy. Welcome back, Groove Armada.

Soundboy Rock, like the latest (excellent) GA release Black Light, is consistently listenable from beginning to end, which probably can't be said for too many electronic/dance CDs. Although it often shifts moods and styles considerably from track to track, each track easily stands alone and yet still sounds like an important part of the whole.

Soundboy Rock, Groove Armada's latest outing, tends to alienate fans due to a shift from downbeat sampling to a more club-centric pop sound, but still sounds like Groove Armada, resulting in an album which is easily more accessible (not to mention listenable) than any previous release.

Sure, traditional Groove Armada-style instrumentals do pop up on this album a couple of times, but the triple-threat of the House-influenced "Love Sweet Sound", party-rap infused "The Girls Say", and electric-fueled "Lightsonic" give this album a dancier edge over their past work. Also, "Song 4 Mutya" is perhaps the most over overproduced pop piece the Armada's ever done, but a cool song nonetheless.

If you think Groove Armada will always be "Chicago" and "At The River", think again. This is their new direction, and it's as fun as ever.

I discovered Groove Armada when I heard Superstylin' on an internet radio station. This album is all over the place in terms of musical style. It mostly reminds me of Len, and NERD. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

wow! what a find. i don't even really care for dance music but my husband turned me on to it and ... wow! what's not to like? i'm a believer ... groove armada rocks! no matter what genre of music you like, there's something for everyone. that "pop veneer" that one of the reviewers had complained about, is what hooked me ... but the integrity of the album is what kept me!

Being a long time Groove Armada fan, and following them through all the twists and turns in their career, I was really excited when this new album was coming out. Now that I have the album... my excitement has ended.

"Get Down" (the lead single) is horrible. I mean it's cool to sound retro, but it should sound like GOOD old things, not garbage old things. It sounds like the Basement Jaxx "Jump'N'Shout" if it had been made by complete amateurs. "Get Down" would do well to look at its sister track "Things We Could Share" which gets the retro feel very right and is one of the few great tracks on this album, the others being "Girls Say" and... that's about it.

I know that every time an artist goes in a new direction or a new album comes out, there is always a segment of its fanbase that hates it. Unfortunately I guess that's me in this case. I'll still go see them live if they ever decide to grace Chicago with their presence again, but this album is a large failure in my book.

Aside from the above mentioned two tracks, stay far away from this album.

Groove Armada are a UK electro/dance duo, and "Soundboy Rock" offers up some of the best dance beats to come out this year.

A brief, dramatic intro "Hasta luego mr. fab" segues into lead off single "Get down" which features some ragga style rapping from Stush & Red Rat.

"The things that we could share" featuring Simon Lord has a nice retro disco feel, while "Save my soul" is a lovely electro instrumental a-la Paul Hardcastle or Herbie Hancock circa "Rockit".

Next is the woozy, chilled out ballad "What's your version" which gets reprised at the end of the disc. In a similar vein is "From the rooftops" features Jack Manus.

Next come a pair of brilliant dance numbers featuring Candi Staton; "Paris", with lush strings and skittery beats, and the more uptempo club number "Love sweet sound".

"The girls say" features rapping by Rhymefest and an extra catchy Pharell-like chorus with lovely female harmonies.

The electro "Lightsonic" features ragga rapping from Mad, and "Soundboy rock" is a chilled reggae song infused with melodica and organ, and vocals (again by Mad) that would make Bob Marley proud.

"Song 4 Mutya (out of control)" is a quirky dance/pop song with fuzzy bassline that wouldn't be out of place on a Sugababes album. Small wonder it features ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena on vocals. "See what you get" featuring Alan Donohue is a funky workout.

Alright everybody, get down!!!