Sneaky Sound System's debut album
It took a while, during which they have tantalised us with UK support slots opening for the likes of the Scissor Sisters, but the debut by one of Australia’s biggest dance acts has finally landed in Britain. It promises twelve tracks of punchy left-field house tracks, and for the majority of its length, it delivers.
Opener ‘I Love It’ sets the tone; the straightforward vocals from former rock singer Miss Connie Mitchell undercuts the shimmering, infinitely bum-shaking beats. It also showcases the strengths of the album; the clean production of the music is one of its keen strengths; even when the melodies and the beats are more beige than white hot, the record feels classy. Other standouts include ‘UFO’ and ‘Kansas City’; unpretentious tunes with dancefloor filling potential.
Whether it’ll break through to the mainstream in the UK is anybody’s guess. There is some pretty fierce dance floor competition from the likes of Les Rhythms Digitales and Felix da Housecat; both acts’ output easily rivals the material on this CD. Occasionally, when Sneaky Sound System try to do something a little bit different, treading on the toes of LCD Soundsystem Territory, they do fall flat, and this is highly detrimental to the CD’s success. Such examples include ‘16’, with its marriage of more traditional house with retro synths; none of these mild experimentations and deviations have anything on James Murphy’s patented geek-dance-rock.
However it’s a solid album, and if you’re a dance fan or house purist it’s something that’s worth at least a listen. There are a handful of really quite good tracks on here, that would go down in a storm in even the most snobby London clubs. Those who are looking for some more unusual club fare should, however, probably wait for the next album by LCD Soundsystem.
