I’m very happy to have reviewed one of my favourite artists, Bobby Alu’s, album “Take It Slow” for Mojo Junction; April 2014.
Check it out at Mojo Junction Here.
Or the unedited version below.
Thanks!
Bobby Alu : “Take It Slow” 2012
I’ll tell you what I need in an album, and if you agree with me, then maybe you’ll check out Bobby Alu’s album “Take It Slow”, released 2013. Cause, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m starting to feel like writing a review is like writing a bio; Hilariously verbose and sweetly biased, or sweetly verbose and hilariously biased. Either way, this album ticks all my boxes.
Here’s what I need:
I need to hear the lyrics. Call me old fashioned, but I want to hear what you’re saying. That’s if there’s lyrics, I can handle an instrumental album, I’m just saying, if there’s lyrics, I want to understand them and allow them to shed light on my own life, or simply wash over me like a sun shower, like “Fade”, or “Intention Set”, or like the whole flipping album. Charles Wall, you’re a flipping legend.
I need a sexy rhythm section; a hazardous and tempting bass line, and a beat, laid down, mean as can be. I think this is why “Skipping Stones” is my favourite track, and also available on vinyl via Vital Signs Records.
I need more than one sound in a vocal performance. I get that singers have this thing that they can do, but a whole album of it can, not always, but often, bore my ears. I need colours, and depth and a fearless endeavour to explore it. You may disagree with me on this, granted, there’s many an artist that’s done extremely well on that thing they can nail, and that’s how they bought that island in paradise, but this is my list, and that’s what I’m saying, and Bobby Alu hit the nail on the head.
I need harmony. It makes my knees weak. It makes my heart swoon. It makes me a schoolgirl with a crush. And there is such a thing as too much of it. It needs to swell, to wax and wain; it’s not rocket science, there’s no t=4pX/(gT) involved, but it takes me to my happy place when it’s right, like in the first seven seconds of ‘Take It Slow’.
I need crafted song writing. I need passages, and a story and a journey, bends and breaks, “All The Way”; you lead my heart. I need dynamics and, dare I say it, a climax, or, just a point. Is that too much to ask?
Lastly, for today’s list anyway, I need good hair. No, just kidding. I don’t care if you have no hair or even shit hair, it’s really just all about the music. But, the guys in Bobby Alu do have pretty spectacular hair. Bless ‘em.
So that’s me. Take it or leave it: but I would highly recommend buying a hardcopy of this album, art and all, and turning ‘Skipping Stones’ up to your desired listening pleasure. And don’t worry so much~ let it remind you, it’s all going to be ok.