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Unfortunately for them, neither English indie band reckoned on a Norwegian folk/electronica stalwart encapsulating the prevailing socio-economic feeling in one simple lyric.
Deep into Rules, Erlend Øye's second album under his The Whitest Boy Alive moniker, comes Gravity, and the line, ''How long can a cool cat keep his calm, despite the mounting evidence that there's cause for alarm?''.
It's a weak track aside from this moment of clarity, but is a great indication of what makes Øye a savvy songwriter. He has little time for flab.
Across Rules' eleven tracks there are duff moments, particularly Rollercoaster Ride, which is something of a misnomer considering its flatness.
But what impresses almost everywhere else, much like it did on TWBA's 2006 album Dreams, is the lack of procrastination and excess.
1517 and Courage are both streamlined and funky, all Fender Rhodes and fruity guitar licks. It helps that both come on like contemporary versions of The Isley Brothers' That Lady, Pt. 1 & 2. High On The Heels is another ace, slimline ditty. It's full of cheap, nasty synth noises but retains an efficient Scandinavian feel and would make a neat soundtrack to Calvin Harris ram-raiding Ikea.
Elsewhere, Intentions is a quieter moment that combines classic Stevie Wonder riffs with a playful sound familiar to fans of Air's Moon Safari LP. Reassuringly, it includes another example of lyrically astuteness as Øye croons, "You only want someone when that someone's gone".
Naysayers will complain the funk here is diluted, a million miles from the grit of Prince or Parliament. Some complained similarly about Dreams. What can't be ignored, though is the tenderness and subtlety of an assured and beguiling album that deserves to push TWBA on to bigger audiences and record sales. --Lou Thomas
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Customer Reviews
I especially love Courage, High on the Heels and Gravity, but I don't think there's a bad track on the album.
I can't wait to see them play live again in April.
Oye's voice and lyrics retain the fragility of which we're accustomed yet a more highly-produced and electronic path has been chosen. This is demonstrated by 'Intentions' - a lilting beat and simple synths provide an almost reggae-like feel, the lyrics perhaps hinting at a desire to move away from the traditional Scandinavian pop sound?! The eagerness to reinforce this new direction by using early house synths, particularly on 'Keep a Secret', 'Courage' and 'Timebomb', lends a dancey feeling, however their repetition hints at a lack of depth,and 'Courage' particularly suffers from a lack of direction, sitting in a limbo between guitar pop and peak-time house.
The more down-tempo tracks 'Rollercoaster Ride', 'Promise Less or Do More' and 'Gravity' provide a welcome respite but first and foremost this is an album that has been made with the intention of getting you up and dancing. Indeed, if you've been lucky enough to see them live this album is much easier to appreciate (they tend to 'mix' their tracks live). Rules has some fantastic tracks with warm basslines, nostalgic lyrics and the archetypal catchiness we've come to expect ('Dead End', 'Island' and '1517') that you just can't help tapping your feet to.
All in all, Rules is a good if not great album, I'd give it 3.5 stars if possible. The band have demonstrated their ability to produce incredibly catchy pop riffs and Rules exemplifies that, yet the album's lack of depth and occasional repetition can become tiring....but then so can dancing I suppose.
I must say that it only goes to show how varied Erlend's musical potential is. The lyrics are simple yet they convey so much truth in a nutshell, that it is hard to ignore them and only pay attention the the funky rhythm.
The songs are all pretty danceable, but they also allow you to relax, unwind and have some "Courage".
Very typical Erland Oye music...and yes, I love it !
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