Chromeo- 80's funk throwback, and oh so much more!
Chromeo are a band with a sense of humour. In an age of Kele Okereke's (Bloc Party) and Tom Smith's (Editors) who try to win fans through the pure force of their moodiness, Chromeo are a breath of fresh, and fun, air. Describing themselves jokily as "the only successful Arab (Pee) Jewish (Dave) collaboration since the beginning of time", Pee Thugg and Dave 1 magically produce 80's funk music with all the characteristic electronica elements: When was the last time you heard a modern band playing the keytar? Well, on their sophomore album Fancy Footwork- just released- they've done just that, as well as using synths and a talk box to create music that can first and foremost be compared to Prince in his electrofunk heyday.A review of Fancy Footwork in Q this month recieved a harsh 3 stars, although that's not really surprising: Q, being a music magazine, takes everything too seriously and can't take the album for what it is- heaps of fun. This is the kind of album where you can't help a smile spreading from cheek to cheek when you hear it: listen to Call Me Up and try and tell me you didn't enjoy yourself. When Q began to analyse it piece by piece they were ripping apart the spirit of the album: its a fun, funky, party album which should be listened to and cherished, without trying to look for some deeper meaning.
Chromeo aren't afraid to embrace comparisons: on Fancy Footwork I swear I can hear Michael Jackson screeching, and the Prince parallels go without saying, but that doesn't take anything away from it. I hope you will agree; check out the four tracks from the new album below. Oh, and given the comparison to Kele from Bloc Party above, I thought I would include a Chromeo Remix of a Bloc Party B-side. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? I hope not...
All these tracks can be downloaded from this project, or by following the links individually
Chromeo- Outta Sight
Chromeo- Call Me Up
Chromeo- Tenderoni
Chromeo- Fancy Footwork
Chromeo- Needy Girl (Bloc Party Remix)
Fancy Footwork and Chromeo's first album, She's In Control can be purchase here
