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Groove Armada emerged from the dance explosion of the early 90s to find themselves soundtracking a thousand adverts. Since the ubiquity of At the River though, they have chosen to move away from the coffee table and towards the club with tracks such as the reggae-inflected Superstylin’. Black Light, their sixth album, finds them enlarging their repertoire to relax into wider influences. In the absence of a frontman they are aging well.
With the dance genre competing with late 90s RnB for the largest phone bill for guest artists, this album is predictably a collaborative effort. Influences this time include Italo-disco, and notably The Human League on Cards to Your Heart: the sound of machines happily entertaining themselves. This album understands dance music is as much about the getting ready and the come-down as it is the club, and its slightly chaotic first half echoes the sound of home drinking, shared hairdryers and waiting mini-cabs.
However, it settles halfway through, with the band wisely presenting the best song to their most illustrious collaborator, Bryan Ferry. The perpetual lothario effortlessly inhabits the midnight ache of Shameless, sharpening his seduction across a slow electro burn. Fall Silent, featuring as it does Nick Littlemore, beautifully echoes the shining soft-rock sweep of Empire of the Sun. However, some ideas thrown at the wall to see if they stick actually crash right through. The brutal beats of Not Forgotten are reminiscent of, though less eloquent than, former contemporaries Leftfield.
Groove Armada's weaknesses remain, with some ideas failing to stretch across entire songs. Warsaw says little for the 40 songs not making the cut, although the elegant New York indie of Just for Tonight easily compensates. It’s a shame this set only finds its groove halfway through, and that in places the production feels rushed. The closing lullaby, the Bronski Beat-esque History, which features a gorgeous and preconception-busting vocal from Will Young, best demonstrates the way forward: less is more. --Tom Hocknell
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent album,
By
This review is from: Black Light (Audio CD)
I have to admit this wasn't what I was expecting from a GA album. However, first listen .. a little shocked, by the second I was warming up, by the third I was absolutely loving it.
So what's it like? Well - I'd say it's 80'5 retro electronica revival, with a hint of trance. Different, fresh yet familiar all at the same time. Truly excellent.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As ever with Groove Armada, not what you expect, but brilliant, their best for years.,
This review is from: Black Light (Audio CD)
I've been a fan from the start and I'm waiting for them to go downhill like most of your favourite bands, but I cannot praise them enough for this. It takes a few listens like I find with most of their work, an 80's sound throughout with a 90's rythm and a truly innovative, modern feel. 'Cards to your heart' is a fantastic Groove Armada classic, uplifting, great piano and great song and the rest more than stands its ground. Just buy it.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different but very good,
By
This review is from: Black Light (Audio CD)
Many GA fans will find this a major change of direction. I disagree with Jo's review totally. The production is great, the choice of songs brilliant, I particularly like Shameless, Paper Romance and I won't kneel. It is a really innovative record from a group who have been around for over 10 years. I am loving it!!!GO to the live shows which are coming up at the beginning of March, a live set from GA is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!
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