Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Review
Despite rap's reinvention of other acts through sampling dexterity, Notorious B.I.G's estate wouldn't let Dan Black use the lyrics of Hypnotize for Black's Hypntz. Wily Black kept his own vocal melody, along with a beat also used by Rihanna for Umbrella, but re-wrote the words. Symphonies, the resulting ditty, is simple, cheerful pop with a sharp 2009 slacker anti-hit edge. The rest of the songs on 'Un' don't have as interesting origins but are at least as sonically involving.
U + Me ='s only downfall is its idiotic txtspk title. Juggernaut synths fight it out with cool Hot Chip syncopated kick drums, nursery rhyme keys and Black's fey Liam Gallagher yelp.
Home Counties hipster hero Black has namedropped Prince, DJ Shadow, Beck, De La Soul as influnces on 'Un' and he clearly has the perspicacious production savvy of those acts.
Alone has a bassline so filthy that suspicious looking men had to smuggle it from the studio in plain paper bags. Yours is slickly furtive and snappily voyeuristic breakbeat fun, like Lo Fi Allstars on a stakeout in Paris (where Black made this accomplished album). Pump My Pumps is terrific post-Soulwax disco that would work terrifically alongside Thieves Like US and Mylo on the dancefloor.
Not as good but more unusual is Cigarette Pack. This lacks the bite of the better album tracks but is an intriguing blend of vampiric, charming and cheesy, like Smashing Pumpkins covering Baywatch incidental music.
Dan Black has made a smart, confident record that is far more accessible than many made by such an overtly cool customer. It should even see him gain some mainstream popularity. 'Deux' should be worth waiting for. --Lou Thomas
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Tantalising and stimulating eardrums, Dan Black has been hailed as pop’s bright new hope by everyone from Zane Lowe to Perez Hilton and was a regular feature in the 2009 "One To Watch" polls. Now the Paris-based Englishman has updated and fleshed out his blogospherically massive Notorious BIG tribute "Hypntz" into the fully fledged space pop anthem "Symphonies". Fusing the ubiquitous beat from Rihanna’s "Umbrella" with heavily chopped-up samples from the film soundtrack of John Carpenter’s Starman, this is a perfect, effortlessly joyous marriage of laptop hip hop with tip top hip pop. The rest of Black's debut album Un continues this vein of quirky pop, apprently melding the musical attributes of Paul’s Boutique, Hatful Of Hollow and Supa Dupa Fly with a lost 80’s sci-fi soundtrack.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A. Newton
Format:Audio CD
I first saw Dan Black at Glastonbury 2009 on the John Peel Stage and I was blown away by their sound. I went straight home after the festival and bought this album. Well worth it!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mimi
Format:Audio CD
Although it took a little longer to arrive than I expected it was completely worth the wait. Dan Black has such a unique sound. His tunes are so catchy that you are hooked by a first listen. My personal favourites are "Alone" and "Yours" but I'm sure I will love all equally soon. Dan Black is a young and fresh artist who is a rising star! A must buy!!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
So many new voices. So little time.
Was there ever a period when the world
was so full of so much good new music ?
A warm welcome then to young Mr Black
and his debut solo outing 'UN'.
The very nicest kind of geeky pop.
Strong melodies, memorable hooks, dance-friendly rhythms.
Crikey what more could a discerning listener wish for ?!
The twelve songs in this collection achieve a coherent
sonic whole; stylistically synchronous with the nation's
current appetite for intelligent electronica.
Not the strongest voice to be honest ( a little nasal;
a tad whiny at times ) but he is mostly able to transform
his limitations into advantages with the wry wit evidenced
in his perky writing and idiosyncratic sense of timing.
Standout tracks include : 'Symphonies', a delightfully quirky
composition which makes atmospheric use of string and choral
samples. The surreal lyrical imagery is curiously affecting.
'Alone' takes us down for a spin at the local disco ( Were the
DJ to play material by transatlantic cousin Mr Sparro we should
not be surprised ! ), one of the most successful up-tempo numbers.
'Pump My Pumps' also manages to generate some good
knee-trembling energy.
'Life Slash Dreams' is a delicious slice of Emmental;
a few structural holes but very tasty none-the-less.
'Let Go', with its well below lo-fi production,
brings the album to a worthy down-beat conclusion.
A very strong first showing from a solid new talent.
I am fairly confident that he will be able to keep his head
held high above the ever-expanding crowd of electro-pop hopefuls.
Recommended.
Was there ever a period when the world
was so full of so much good new music ?
A warm welcome then to young Mr Black
and his debut solo outing 'UN'.
The very nicest kind of geeky pop.
Strong melodies, memorable hooks, dance-friendly rhythms.
Crikey what more could a discerning listener wish for ?!
The twelve songs in this collection achieve a coherent
sonic whole; stylistically synchronous with the nation's
current appetite for intelligent electronica.
Not the strongest voice to be honest ( a little nasal;
a tad whiny at times ) but he is mostly able to transform
his limitations into advantages with the wry wit evidenced
in his perky writing and idiosyncratic sense of timing.
Standout tracks include : 'Symphonies', a delightfully quirky
composition which makes atmospheric use of string and choral
samples. The surreal lyrical imagery is curiously affecting.
'Alone' takes us down for a spin at the local disco ( Were the
DJ to play material by transatlantic cousin Mr Sparro we should
not be surprised ! ), one of the most successful up-tempo numbers.
'Pump My Pumps' also manages to generate some good
knee-trembling energy.
'Life Slash Dreams' is a delicious slice of Emmental;
a few structural holes but very tasty none-the-less.
'Let Go', with its well below lo-fi production,
brings the album to a worthy down-beat conclusion.
A very strong first showing from a solid new talent.
I am fairly confident that he will be able to keep his head
held high above the ever-expanding crowd of electro-pop hopefuls.
Recommended.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hidden Gem
Every once in a while you stumble upon an artist that delivers the type of sound you can relate too. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. C. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dan Black - Un
I love this album! I don't really know how I found him, but I'm really glad I did! I've had this album for a few years now and it's still really, really good. Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. Relefors
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel good and happy music
The lyrics are really inventive and there is a wide range of songs.
Dan Black has an individual voice which i really like, i first heard his songs on a sounds track for a BBC... Read more
Dan Black has an individual voice which i really like, i first heard his songs on a sounds track for a BBC... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Katie Blackburn
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoy this album
Hi people, I am pleased to say that this album is quite a good purchase. I heard the song name 'Symphonies' on YouTube and realised it was my type. Read more
Published on 12 May 2010 by Pirawatt Changlek
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for this!
I've heard five of the songs from this album, and every single one is great! Cannot recommend this enough, Alone and I love Life are great and new single Symphonies is really... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by J-Dizzle
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
