Day One

The start of this new album by Britain’s self-modelled favourite urban story tellers sounds a bit like Sublime bumping into Canadian misfits Len and agreeing on a Black Grape driven orgy of hip hopping street rock. Doesn’t sound too pretty does it?

And indeed it isn’t. Their first album released in 2000 'Ordinary Man’ leapt them to an international following – much fuelled by soundtrack features on Trigger Happy TV, the Emmy winning Six Feet Under and teen fave, Cruel Intentions.

Their second offing provides a collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas’ Will-I-Am, and hits a nice sealed in the bag fresh approach on social commentaries such as intimacy, money problems, friendship and loneliness.

By the end of track two however, I have experienced a wonderful 'volte face’ as the French so eloquently put it. A 180 to you and me. What started off so unsurely finds a certain degree of resonance. Backing brass sounds with looped pianos and a buffet of South American beats suits them much better, and unsurprisingly also the discerning ear.

And therein lies the two tales of this album. Whenever Phelim Byrne and Matthew Hardwidge (there’s a couple of names for you) stick to the rhythm and appeal of their storytelling traditions on a hip hop backdrop, they sound,..well, good. When the college rock slips in however it’s just a load of rubbish, and that says it all. An album with two faces, one of which just ain’t that good.