(False Idols)
Tricky has some big
questions on his mind, and on his latest album False Idols, released
on his own label of the same name, he concerns himself with searching
for answers. It sees him returning to the dark Bristol Sound he made
his name with, an exploration of alienation and disillusionment like
much of his early output, and these themes seem to have kept their
relevance in the digital age. Tricky's vocals sit in the background
for much of the album, often letting his collaborators take the
limelight, but when they do surface they're delivered with a hushed,
world-weariness.
The album begins
with Somebody's Sins, featuring the repeated phrase 'Jesus died for
someone's sins, but not mine', looking at where people put their
misplaced hopes, Tricky points his finger at the targets that hold us
back. There is an anger submerged in the quiet vocals, a call for
change maybe. Bonnie & Clyde and Is That Your Life take a
surprisingly groovy direction, almost becoming danceable whilst still
maintaining the soulful night time atmosphere that resides at the
core of Tricky's sound. A couple of other tracks come close to having
dance floor sensibilities such as Nothing Matters with its steady 4/4
beat, though its shrouded, sombre mood, surrounded by sparse horns
and rising strings, stop it from taking off.
Showing his
capabilities as a producer, Tricky showing a range of approaches, for
the restless, skittering beat of Nothing's Changed to the down-tempo
rhythm and cut up vocal sample deployed on Tribal Drums. Does It
features Francesca Belmonte's intimate voice (which also features on
Tribal Drums and Nothings Changed) as she sings 'Where are the
protesters/The slogans and the signs?' filled with quiet frustration,
a cry for protest and rebellion amongst the wrongs of the world and a
derision of the modern apathy that lets them prevail.
Though not an
outright criticism, some of the tracks like Valentine, If Only I Knew
and I'm Ready could have come straight out of his mid 90's records
and the occasional song, such as Chinese Interlude, feels aimless and
fails to create the immersing mood of some of the stronger songs.
None of the tracks
outstay their welcome, with the longest track coming in at just over
three and a half minutes, though that does leave the feeling that
some of the tracks could develop a little more, but the album is
consistent, often reminiscent of his breakthrough album Maxinquaye.
Though False Idols may not reveal all the answers Tricky is looking
for. he shows his skill for capturing a certain sense of modern
dissatisfaction with his music that few others can match.
Originally posted on figure8magazine.co.uk
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