Booka Shade - The Sun & The Neon Light
Artist: Booka Shade
Album: The Sun & The Neon Light
Label: Physical
I’ve recently come across several discussions about single-centric versus album-centric artists (one example here, in their promise to Sub Pop), and I wonder if it is really necessary for artists to become more album-centric as they mature. What do y’all think?
On Booka Shade’s latest album, The Sun & The Neon Light, the duo move away from their club-driven, singles-based past to incorporate darker, more moody electronic songs. Some reviewers like this turn; others do not. Despite the lack of real hits, it strikes a chord with me, one strung from my teenage “orb” period: Orbital, William Orbit, and The Orb. Though these artists’ albums are all, to me, well-crafted and cohesive, each of these artists has a single song by which they are known: Orbital has “Halcyon On & On” (featured in such awesome movies as Mortal Combat, Hackers, and Mean Girls); William Orbit has “Water from a Vine Leaf,” featuring vocals from Beth Orton; The Orb has “Fluffy Little Clouds,” featuring vocals from Ricky Lee Jones. It gives me hope that Booka Shade can have the best of both worlds: hit singles and mature, cohesive albums. (Check out those links for mostly amateur videos of these great songs.)
Booka Shade – “Charlotte”
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Most reviewers so far have agreed that this is the stand-out song, and I love it. It definitely has the “orb” quality that is engaging both in the club (you know, because I go to clubs) and on headphones.
Booka Shade – “Karma Car”
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Also a finer point from this album, “Karma Car” is not very dance friendly (well, not how I dance) but nonetheless energizing. It sounds perfect for the forthcoming X-Files movie. We shall see.
Check out this video of a live concert during their Movement tour. I’ve never seen a crowd sing along to a synth melody. Strange. If you like it, buy the album.
I swear, I’ll take a break from electronic music in the next couple of posts.
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