Album Reviews - Mar 07

Words - Suzy Sims
Previously published on Native.tv http://www.native.tv in Mar 07
(c) Niche News & Publishing Ltd

Ed Banger - Volume Two
Mr Oizo, Uffie, Justice, DJ Mehdi, Mr Flash, Krazy Baldhead, Feadz, Busy P, Sebastian, Klaxons, Vicarious Bliss
Ed Banger Records, March 2007

French electro. That's primarily what Ed Banger Records deals in. It's Paris based and full of French acts, acts you had no idea were French (or I didn't). This is the latest compilation CD brought out for the pleasure of your dancing shoes.

For anyone whose only acquaintance with Mr Oizo is with some puppet thing bobbing away to promote jeans, there's a bit more to him that that. He's created a pounding warped introduction to the acts on here. The main tracks start with ‘I can rock this shit,’ spits Uffie on ‘Dismissed’. Justice (yes, as in the Vs Simian 'We Are Your Friends') ‘Phantom’ is a loud fizzy descent with sharp tangs giving it an edge. In places it reminds me a bit of Alter Ego’s classic ‘Rocker’. A ghost-like phantom it is not, think more of the stylish car.

DJ Mehdi and Busy P have contributed small joiners as well as full length tracks. Busy P actually runs the Ed Banger label, which would explain why he chose his name. Mr Flash comes riding in the club astride the wild stallion of ‘Disco Dynamite’ with the forceful fun and curious tweaks, ending in juicy jazz.

‘Strings Of Death’ by Krazy Baldhead is a highlight. At once grinding and soaring, there’s also a cool break to let you pause for breath before it funks back into life. Feadz ‘Edwrecker’ is another hot bubbly parcel, like listening to the radio underwater (Not recommended kids – Electronics Ed) and is one of my favourites on the album.Busy P ‘Rainbow Man’ is a full-on, colourful noise. Mr Flash ‘Eagel Eyez’ is a surprisingly chilled out 1980s TV movie theme, with soppy pianos and twinkles, set to a pumping bass. Sebastian ‘Greel’ is a drum heavy clanger, followed by the flamboyant beeps of ‘Golden Skans To Interzone’.

(It’s the So Me remix, indie kids). It’s a festival in those opening sirens and as such is enjoyable. ‘Limousine’ is a nice wind down track with a lot of style.

There’s only one track over five minutes long which is excellent because one of the things I dread about dance and remix albums is their tendency to let songs run seven minutes plus. Keep the dancers wanting more – don’t overdo it, loves.

Ed Banger: Vol 2' is fun electronica and pounding beats, twisting and bending into your mind with some razorsharp attitude. Not the sort of thing you sit around with headphones on listening to; this is for sticking on and performing embarrassing dances to.

http://www.edbangerrecords.com