Trip hop has made an unexpected and funny return to us in 2008. Of course, Portishead came back with brilliant Third, an album that was so radically altered in what we thought the bands sound was that it didn't even qualify for our Frequencies reviews section, so we put it in Pop Rocks thats certainly not how it would have gone down back in 1994. Apparently Massive Attack or should we just call them 3D now the true heir to the trip hop throne have another album brewing, set for a hopeful 2008 release. And lets not forget about Morcheeba
Actually, on second thought, lets.
However, it wouldnt be a full-on class reunion though if the Tricky Kid didnt show in his tattered tux and barefoot. As we previously reported, Adrian Thaws will return in September with Knowle West Boy, his eighth full-length (Eight? Really?) and first for new label Domino. Co-produced by Switch (M.I.A.s right-hand man) and described as the summation of everything that Tricky has accomplished since his 1995 Maxinquaye debut, the prospects seem like theres some potential for Tricky to get back in form.
First single "Council Estate (out June 30) was designed as a "twisted Specials-worshipping punk celebration of self belief" but I dont hear that. Instead, the song that Radio Ones Zane Lowe hyped it as the "hottest record in the world this week reverts back to the turbulence of 1995s "Black Steel, though without the forward progress. The skidding, almost surfin bass riff feels a little dated and frankly, out of place in 2008, and Trickys frantic, tough and confrontational front isnt out of character, but feels disappointing that he had to go there. At least on his first single in five years.
I get that the concept behind Knowle West Boy is a socio-political one (which hes been pushing to the press this week), and hes addressing his former hood, but when he spits "Cant break it, cant take who you are/So remember boy youre a superstar, Im not sure if Trickys speaking to his people or trying to convince himself that hes still on point. Regardless, if youre gonna make a big deal about "seizing [your] roots and detailing the travels and travails of [your] youth to make "a record that acts as an eclectic aural history of his diverse upbringing, why shoot the video in Paris and not your own community? I dunno, something doesnt sit right
Where is my copy of Third?
Tricky "Council Estate"
However, it wouldnt be a full-on class reunion though if the Tricky Kid didnt show in his tattered tux and barefoot. As we previously reported, Adrian Thaws will return in September with Knowle West Boy, his eighth full-length (Eight? Really?) and first for new label Domino. Co-produced by Switch (M.I.A.s right-hand man) and described as the summation of everything that Tricky has accomplished since his 1995 Maxinquaye debut, the prospects seem like theres some potential for Tricky to get back in form.
First single "Council Estate (out June 30) was designed as a "twisted Specials-worshipping punk celebration of self belief" but I dont hear that. Instead, the song that Radio Ones Zane Lowe hyped it as the "hottest record in the world this week reverts back to the turbulence of 1995s "Black Steel, though without the forward progress. The skidding, almost surfin bass riff feels a little dated and frankly, out of place in 2008, and Trickys frantic, tough and confrontational front isnt out of character, but feels disappointing that he had to go there. At least on his first single in five years.
I get that the concept behind Knowle West Boy is a socio-political one (which hes been pushing to the press this week), and hes addressing his former hood, but when he spits "Cant break it, cant take who you are/So remember boy youre a superstar, Im not sure if Trickys speaking to his people or trying to convince himself that hes still on point. Regardless, if youre gonna make a big deal about "seizing [your] roots and detailing the travels and travails of [your] youth to make "a record that acts as an eclectic aural history of his diverse upbringing, why shoot the video in Paris and not your own community? I dunno, something doesnt sit right
Where is my copy of Third?
Tricky "Council Estate"
