| Product: |
Fun Lovin Criminals in general |
| Date: |
01/12/02 (57 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: the sheer consistent standard of tracks, 'Scooby Snacks' - a nineties classic, Huey an intriguing yet amiable frontman
Disadvantages: 'Mimosa' isn't really much of a contribution to their catalogue
Main personnel:
Hugh Morgan aka 'Huey': Vocals
Steve Borovini aka 'Steve-O': Drums (1996-1999)
Maxwell Jayson aka 'Mackie': Drums (1999-Present)
Brian Leiser aka 'Fast': Everything else
Albums:
Come Find Yourself (1996)
100% Columbian (1998)
Mimosa (1999)
Loco (2001)
Analysis:
The Fun Lovin' Criminals were *the* band to be seen liking in the mid-nineties. All-conquering breakthrough hit 'Scooby Snacks' hit right on the public mood - ultracool samples from Quentin Tarantino combined with a great shout-a-long chorus. While they may not be flavour of the month any more, their music is still quality.
Their debut 'Come Find Yourself' was a raw cry from the streets of NYC with a fast-and-loose mix of rock, hip-hop and even a bit of blues. Mainman Huey established himself as a fast-talking smooth operator with an ego the size of the five boroughs. 'Fast' meanwhile, was the real brains of the operation, plundering his huge record collection for obscure yet cooler-than-thou samples and the man responsible for the FLC's 'sound'. 'Scooby Snacks' and 'King of New York' are the pick of the tracks, but with quality this high it's very difficult to choose.
Follow-up '100% Columbian' was smoother and much more polished but equally listenable. Huey was still throwing out rhymes, but this time with a voice that had enjoyed the trappings of success. Although 'All For Self' and 'Big Night Out' are big ballsy shout-out anthems, a more thoughtful FLC seeped in through the cracks, as seen on 'We Are All Very Worried About You' and 'The View Belongs to Everyone'.
It's difficult to see 'Mimosa' as anything but a stop-gap album, filled as it is with covers and alternate versions. That said, there are highlights - 'Bombing the L' (circa 1956 version) and the cove
r of 'Crazy Train' can withstand multiple listenings.
'Loco' didn't offer anything really new in terms of musical style, but the standards were still high with the title track, a Santana-esque noodle, being the stand-out tune. 'Swashbucklin' in Brooklyn' and 'Microphone Fiend' showed how indebted FLC still were to their roots of hip-hop and disco.
FLC are one of the hardest-touring bands around, with an average of *two* tours a year going here, there and everywhere in the UK playing to packed-out houses. Somehow they still find time to record between the on-stage antics. Even though the US hasn't taken to them - they don't even have a record deal there - the UK and lately Europe loved them for their (ever so slightly) stereotyped version of NYC life. Schmooove indeed.
Summary:
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Last comment:
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utero - 01/12/02 I've seen them live a few times and each of them was great |
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