Artful Doger - Album Review (It's All About The Stragglers - Artful Dodger)

Member Name: mccannalex

Product:	It's All About The Stragglers - Artful Dodger
Date:	17/02/01 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very little to be honest. "Movin too fast" thats about it!!!

Disadvantages: Craig David, Robbie Craig - Devil Music if you ask me

Unlike the many so called credible music magazine's out there, we don't have the daggers out for UK Garage just yet. We understand that UK Garage is more than just a passing trend and looks set to be the force that its sister genre R&B has been over the past few years. The main problem that most publications have with UK Garage is that it isn't made by 4 skinny middle class white boys and as such they just can't understand it. Problemo solved, as Artful Dodger happen to fit the NME friendly vision of music. Sadly that couldn't be further than the truth if you tried.

With the exception of "Movin Too Fast" much of this record is flawed by the many accusations continually thrown at the genre itself. Firstly the main problem is the devil of UK Garage Craig David who featured on the very first monster hit "Re-Rewind" as well as "Woman Trouble" and "What You Gonna Do?", his only highlight is the "Bo Selecta" shout out. Its just that lack of any edge and danger that fills each and every collaboration from Lifford, Nicole and Robbie Craig.

Perhaps one of the only worthwhile collaborations is "R U Ready" with MC Alistair, bad name with some top rhymes. As mentioned before "Movin Too Fast" works as a album track as well as a dance floor stormer, this is continued with "I Can't Give it Up" which is basically the same tune under another name.

As a fan of UK Garage I can say hand on my heart that this album lacks any trace of originality or style. Maybe in the future when they run the risk of getting dropped by the record company they'll produce an album that's innovative, dangerous and has some hint of originality on it. By all means buy the "Movin Too Fast" single, even splash out money on the "Re-rewind" single as that's one of the better tracks featured here - but don't ever believe that UK Garage starts and
ends with The Artful Dodger. In all honesty your money would be better spend buying a couple of blank tapes and recording The Dream Teams garage show on Sunday nights. Alternatively, try and check out London's hottest Garage act around NBP Crew as they wipe the floor with most acts around today.

Alex McCann

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