REVIEW: Fun Lovin' Criminals, 100% Columbian (Capitol)
- Tim Mohr
On their second album, the Fun Lovin' Criminals slow the pace a bit and lower the novelty factor. But they still show a great sense of humor ("I got supermodels on my D" goes the chorus of "Big Night Out"), and their consciously down-market sensibility is actually well-served by a little sweaty down-tempo.
The opening track sounds like A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebaum"--a slow soul backdrop decorated with some sax and sitar. "Love Unlimited" has a similar soul throb to it, and the "Barry White saved my life" theme purposely highlights the cheesy aspect of the sound.
The style of "Scooby Snacks" is revisited on several tracks that feature raucous guitars or guitar samples. "Korean Bodega" (a Bo Diddley-esque trot), "All For Self" (swirling guitars punctuated by horns), and the aforementioned "Big Night Out" (complete with Tom Petty sample) are all guitar-driven, catchy, and fun. Other tracks show the metal leanings of the Criminals, as "Southside" and "10th Street" both race along atop aggressive, churning guitar riffage. The final two tracks of the album are straight (if ironic) bar-room shuffles, anchored by live country-ish bass lines and near-rockabilly guitar.
While not as immediately engaging as the debut album, 100% Columbian makes a good listen, continuing the Fun Lovin' Criminals' run as a working class version of the Beastie Boys - dishing out wild variations in style, wit, beats, and urban cool. And instead of investing in rich-boy causes - as the Beasties do - the Fun Lovin' Criminals bought a local garbage removal company with their first-album windfall. They're keeping it much more real while mellowing out on their second album. So kick back and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon drive - on a trash truck.
