More on: Sam Sparro

Label: Island
Release Date: 28/04/08
Rating:

Just a few months ago nobody had heard of Sam Sparro until various tastemakers got their grubby little paws on the existential dose of uber pop that is 'Black And Gold'. This eponymous debut album follows closely in its slipstream and, whilst there is nothing which jumps out as much as the aforementioned track, it has its moments of inspiration.

'21st Century Life' couldn't sound more like Prince if it changed its name more times than Gordon Ramsay uses the F word - a surefire future single with a serious quota of funk mixed with a twist of floor friendly beats. 'Hot Mess' brings a disco vibe to proceedings and even manages to get away with the jaw-droppingly bad opening line of "I know you fancy yourself as a sexy bitch". Despite bearing an uncanny resemblance to The Jackson 5's 'Can You Feel It?' it never strays into parody and will have you smiling and dancing all at the same time. 'Cottonmouth' is a laidback stoner anthem which seems custom made for lazy sunny days and hazy mornings - though how he can manage to sing the word 'discombobulated' without bursting into fits of laughter is beyond me.

'Recycle It' is one minute seventeen seconds of Mr Sparro reeling off a list of random household objects in a dodgy French accent over a backing of "stop everybody, don't throw it away", a sentiment that sums up the man in essence. The ghost of Prince is all over this record and trying to emulate someone with such a musical pedigree will no doubt see you come up short. It's when Sparro comes up with something truly original that his star quality shines through though these occasions are all too few and far between.

This album is like a radio playlist committee's wet dream, with at least half a dozen potential hit singles, but it reeks a little too much of artistic compromise to have any lasting value

Greg Inglis

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