The Pop Open Group F REVEALED

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the big delay on this! Here are what the tracks are - and what I thought of them.

Hear them for yourself here: http://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2007/07/pop-open-week-8/ (streamed) and here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/t0tk21

TRACK ONE: Me'shell Ndegeocello - "Leviticus - Faggot" - springy, soulful, serious funk, more about the side-effects of religion but ironically I think it might have been more powerful if Me'shell got a bit churchier - it passes by too pleasantly to have much impact.

TRACK TWO: Army Of Lovers - "Israelism" - "Army of Lovers on a mission!" - certainly memorable and worshipping at the altar of WTF, not for the first time with AoL I think their production and sonic chops weren't quite up to their ideas, the hi-NRG backing here just isn't as beefy as the song needs. But it's a good song, though I'm not sure I'd dare to parse it. Would get a vote from me.

TRACK THREE: Candie Payne - "By Tomorrow" - Payne has a great voice and presence, tons of poise amidst the hustle-bustle of the song. Only the tacky sampled horns stop me giving it a vote.

TRACK FOUR: Amy Grant - "Come, Thou Font Of Every Blessing" - props to this for i. staring the topic pretty squarely in the face, ii. having a really gorgeous soft country melody. My top pick I think.

TRACK FIVE: Genius/GZA/Killah Priest - "B.I.B.L.E." - I have actually owned this and still didn't recognise it, not a good sign. Lots of good lines when you concentrate on them but the track rolls along without ever demanding that you do. I've often felt there's something a little dodgy about the love critics gave to the Wu-Tang's crackpot syncretic belief systems, tho I can't quite pin my finger on why.

Here's the poll - open until Monday 12 noon.

[Poll #1030830]

We're not exactly deluged with votes so keep them coming.

Comments

[koganbot]

Right, went to Candie Payne's MySpace, realize I've heard "I Wish" before, maybe even here. But now, on that one and the other three on her MySpace the arrangements are really irritating, all the sound her voice has to contend with. It's a great voice; thin, actually, but the thinness helps it to cut through. I think the "neo"-ness is a trap for her, as it is for lots of people. She sounds a bit lost in the overall sound. Lost in the world. Worth paying attention to, however.