Have they even been to Portobello Market on a weekend; it's insane. Everywhere you look are colours, sounds, and people of all shape, sizes, and race talking at the tops of their lungs. Either buying or selling, or just having a conversation, the place is virtual cacophony of accents and music from across what used to be the British Empire. Even that pishy movie Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant managed to instill some of that energy into an otherwise forgettable movie.
It's not that the music is bad, because it isn't. The first song on the disc "The History Song" features some really nice guitar work and feels like the perfect song to start off with. But instead of being a prelude to something more, nothing much happens musically from there on in except for some minor variations on the same theme.
There's synthesizer on some tracks, or a little bit of bass on others, and maybe echoes of something that could be Music Hall on another. But these songs have a lot in common with the stereotypical bachelor, a failure to commit. Instead of making a decision to either embrace a genre or to supply its flavour to a song, the music ends up sounding wishy-washy and uncertain of direction.
As an idea the concept is great, take an area and define it with music to give the listener an impression of the atmosphere and the ambiance. If one were to judge West London by The Good, The Bad, And The Queen one would think of it as perpetually raining and depressed. I don't honestly think that was their intent with this project.
They did say they like living there, it's mighty hard to tell that by listening to this CD.
The Good, The Bad, And The Queen will be available from most outlets on January 23rd 2007.
Article comments
1 - RC
I think this record makes more sense to someone that has lived in London for more than just a small holiday. It's London on a rainy day with bits of sun glimpsing through. The lyrics swing through typical Brit cynical nature to something hopeful.
It makes sense that you're more capable to "get" Greetings From Cairo Illinois but talking about the "fascinating history" of Portabello Road and mentioning, even in passing, the film Notting Hill shows that you don't get this work. It's not about the color of the market place or the interesting history of the area. It's about the current mood and vibe of West London and the outlook on the future -- something both grim and to be celebrated. I don't know how else to explain it. It's very good though but it takes a few listens to appreciate the subtle nature of the songcrafting.
2 - Duke De Mondo
Excellent, Richard, as ever. i've yet to hear this, but i will do, mostly because the reviews, including this "kinda dissapointed" one from yourself, have intrigued me. I'm not much of a fan of Mr Albarn. but still, i'm somewhat anxious to hear what he and his cohorts have created here.