Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another mindless rip off?, 2 May 2008
The first reviewer (Mister Superstar) pretty much hits the nail on the head with his review, but I want to write my own anyway.
MSI's last full album (You'll Rebel To Anything) was unquestionably the most commercial of all their releases, but who's complaining when it was such a concise, consistent album with tracks that managed to stand up against (and on several occasions, better) material from Frankenstein Girls or Tight? I certainly wasn't. It marked a slight change in direction with a more polished sound and less confrontational songs than before (far less mentions of "niggaz" and songs that were perhaps geared more towards a slightly younger audience) but it nevertheless retained the fast, furious, sardonic and often ridiculous sound that people either love or hate MSI for. Things were looking good for the next release...
But... with this album... it just isn't quite there. The problem being maybe that now they've become much more well known (especially in the UK) they actually CARE how this album is received, at least, that's how it sounds: in some places - far too self-conscious and self-aware. Also, in general, much less spontaneous and in some places I found myself thinking, "where's the energy gone??". Some of the tracks could really do with being a bit faster, or at least have some more intense beats behind them.
I am by no means saying that this is a bad album, but as Mister Superstar pointed out, quite a few of the tracks are old demos, b-sides or from the unreleased album "Pink", and sadly, for the most part, these are the better songs (you can recognise them by the old synths or the high pitched vocals, the latter of which is sadly absent from the new tracks). "Mastermind" and "Never Wanted To Dance" are two of the best new, previously unheard (except live) tracks, and stand up well against old material, but on the whole "If" is, to be brutally honest, a disappointment. Worth it for many of the songs, but the others I find myself even more likely to skip than the more throwaway tracks on Frankenstein Girls.
I just hope MSI can stop being so over-eager to impress and make a better, more consistent album next time. Also, whilst I'm on the subject, I pray they'll go back to using pre-taped backing vocals at gigs so we can actually hear the whole song, many of them just can't be sung otherwise! and more importantly I hope they go back to their more spontaneous gig-style, I saw them 3 times last year and almost everything Jimmy Urine said was exactly the same each show, try and get hold of the really old concert video where he goes nuts and throws this dude out of the gig for no reason, you'll see the difference. Still, I guess they've got a lot of people to keep happy now, but for me, it just isn't working.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bomb This Album, 25 April 2008
This being MSI's first offering for over 2 years, I was expecting something sharp, edgy and quirky as hell. It is evident with IF that time and effort has been implemented, and experimentation obviously is the main feature here, but alot of the time it comes off cheap and rather stale, they even fob you off with one or two demo's that have been around longer than i can remember. Had this have been a first or even second album for them it would have stood a much better chance, but with all the hype they have garnered over the past 5 years or so it isnt as simple as churning out yet another record with more of the same.
That being said, just because it sounds like previous material, thats not to say it sounds bad. It has some real gems, ancient demo "Bomb This Track" and the irresistible "Issues" are real standouts for me. Another great selling point is the level of humor... some of these tracks are Hiiiiilarious, "Get It Up" had me smirking from beginning to end. At the end of day, MSI fans will lap this up anyway... but you cant help feeling a little cheated. Newcomers would do well to start with this record, it is accessible and fun. If you accept this as what it is, more of the same, you wont be disappointed, if your coming in looking for something fresh id suggest trying something else.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Great stuff!, 9 April 2009
Simply put, if you like You'll Rebel to Anything or are looking for some mouthy, quirky, gritty and lively music, this is what you're after. It's easy to dance to, funny listening, everything you'd expect off MSI. Just don't play it in a local store, it may not be all that suitable!
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