Brighton Port Authority -I Think We're Gonna NeedA Bigger Boat

Wed 18th Feb, 2009 in Music Reviews

Brighton Port Authority is Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, together with an eclectic collection of musicians including Iggy Pop, Martha Wainwright and Dizzee Rascal. The BPA is set up as a band whose songs – reaching as far back as the early – œ70s – were only recently found in a warehouse in Brighton. These songs have then been collected on I Think We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat. This in itself should ring alarm bells. Why does Cook feel this album needs a gimmick?

After a few listens it becomes clear that this is one of those tricky albums that pops up all too often. It’s tricky because it’s neither bad nor good. It’s a run-of-the-mill album, and like most run-of-the-mill albums it has a couple of standout tracks and the rest fall by the wayside.

Opener Should I Stay Or Should I Blow is laced with Latin rhythms and is danceable in every sense of the word. It’s catchy and will get stuck in your head, although most likely only for a few minutes after you hear it. With his Fatboy Slim alias, Cook made some memorable songs that were built on repetitive lyrics and a captivating beat, but unfortunately this one falls a little bit short. To its credit, it is a fun song, but like other tunes on this album it loses its charm rather quickly.

One track that does get closer to achieving the correct ratio between fun and memorable is Toe Jam. It is pure pop goodness, with David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal using their contrasting vocal styles to keep your attention, along with some curious lyrics about a “pony girl” that likes to run through toes. Now, come on: if that’s not memorable I don’t know what is.

He’s Frank (Slight Return) is another standout. This upbeat hand-clapping tune features the dirty, gravelly tones of Iggy Pop which, although seemingly an odd choice of vocalist, really works to give the track some soul. But the song that will really grab your attention, whether it be through irritation or intrigue, is Jumps The Fence featuring Connan Mockasin. Connan’s style is extremely unique, with his prepubescent-sounding New Zealand accent. Backed by some tambourine, drum and a hint of strings, Jumps The Fence is minimalistic, kooky and very cute.

Overall this album is not a bad effort by Cook and co. but it just doesn’t quite seem to reach its potential. Maybe album number two will fare better. Oh sorry – I mean the second round of hidden recordings.

I Think We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat is out now on Southern Fried through Liberator.