Waltzes For Weirdoes

Grandadbob is Dave Johnson and Vanessa Robinson, two Brits sporting a sound quite informed by the pulse of house. Read: you can bug out to it. However, Waltzes for Weirdos (issued in America via Lax and in the U.K. on Norman Cook's Still Life Recordings) is also conscious of electronica's viability as marketplace music. So, while "This Is It" is slick house/disco and "3am Gherkin" works a phase-shifting Daft Punk bump, "Mmmnn" prefers a chillier groove highlighted by its watery bassline and Robinson's breathy vocal. Think silver sports cars and rain-slicked streets. "Killed By Sweets" recalls the heyday of trip-hop; "Anger Thy Neighbour"'s squelchy, chopped-up rhythms weave through Robinson's faraway coos; and "Open Mouthed" is a cool enough mess of splattered vocal samples and vaguely hip-hop drum tracks. With its various classifiable styles, Waltzes for Weirdos ends up feeling a bit scatterbrained. And while Robinson's singing is capable throughout, that doesn't mean you'll pick her out of an electronic music diva lineup. Still, Grandadbob has a knack for rhythms that don't let go, and the moods Waltzes creates last longer than a 30-second tracking shot. ~ Johnny Loftus|

ファットボーイ・スリム主宰のレーベル＝サザン・フライドからのアルバムで、すでに海外の専門誌ではかなりの話題。“Your Mama”などファットボーイばりの元気ハツラツ系トラックや、プログレッシヴ・ハウス、レモン・ジェリーばりのほんわかトラック“Kenny”など、さまざまなスタイルの曲が並んでいて飽きさせない。ヒット・シングル“Mmmnnn”“City Approach”収録。レーベルともども、今後も目が離せない存在です!
bounce (C)堀内 幸江