REVIEWS:
Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have
steadily been dismantling their chill-out crown ever since the single 'At
The River' saw them float into coffee-table ubiquity. Lovebox finally
stretches the duo's eclectic tastes beyond any semblance of continuity or
restraint, finishing the job started on last year's 'Goodbye Country (Hello
Nightclub)'.
Named after Groove Armada's bi-monthly London club night, the duo's fourth
album captures the excitement and diversity of pace you would expect from
a masterful DJ set. While the opening track 'Purple Haze' doesn't have a
sniff of Hendrix's majestic histrionics, it is certainly Groove Armada's
most rock & roll moment to date. Neneh Cherry lends her sultry voice
to the lusty funk-fuelled hip-hop of 'Groove Is On' and the urban soul of
'Think Twice' nodding toward their down-beat prime.
Feisty dance-floor shakers are here in force though. 'Madder', mixing the
raps of MC M.A.D. with a pulsating bass and itchy guitar hook, kicks hard,
and 'The Final Shakedown' is an undiluted house anthem, albeit with a
feisty ragga vocal. But one of the most surprising tracks is the rich,
soul-drenched sophistication of 'Hands of Time', a gorgeous reflection on
love lost featuring the spine-tingling voice of Woodstock folk legend
Richie Havens. Lovebox is a disarmingly eclectic album, its infectious,
maverick, party spirit defying preconceptions.
by Christopher Barrett
'Think
Twice' ALSO AVAILABLE ON:
The
Best Of Groove Armada
(2004)
Groove
Armada
DETAILS:
Artwork pictured: CD front
Label: Jive
Released October 4, 2004
ADDITIONAL:
View
lyrics for this release
