Pros Groovy, upbeat pop tracks leaning at times toward hip-hop instead of trip-hop
Cons Over produced at times
The Bottom Line Buy this album if only for the exquisite Rome Wasn't Built in a Day.
Full Review
The best way to describe British band Morcheeba is by comparing them to other similar artists like Massive Attack, Sneaker Pimps, and Everything But The Girl. What these groups have in common is a smooth groove mixed with electronica, funk, and blues. The resulting sound is something ethereal and fluid. A sound very much unlike anything produced before the 1990’s.
Morcheeba is fronted by smooth vocalist Skye Edwards. She along with the brothers Paul and Russ Godfrey came together to form the band in 1995. Soon upon formation, the trio released two well received EP’s and then their debut album 1996’s Who Can You Trust? On the wings of those three successes, Morcheeba toured with Live and Fiona Apple. They released their sophomore, and arguably best, effort Big Calm in 1998.
Released on August 1, 2000 by Sire, Fragments of Freedom provides listeners with twelve tracks. Fragments of Freedom became the band’s third trip-hop (descriptor dubbed to describe bands like the one I’m speaking about today) release. They apparently tried to drop their trip-hop title, but in doing so went a bit too ‘pop’ for the taste of some Morcheeba fans. I personally have little problem listening to and appreciating this third release, but can understand how fans found themselves disillusioned.
The song that drew me to this album was Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day. Among fans, this is one of the least loved songs. I, on the other hand, find the lyrics exceptionally fun and the music very well done and easy on my delicate ears. It’s difficult not to find merit in Edwards’ silky vocals as backed by rock guitars, a choir, and pop sensibility. Honestly, pop is usually a huge turnoff for me, but in this situation the track seems to have more substance and more impressive instrumentation. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day is very upbeat, fast, and ultimately a fun summer tune.
Morcheeba embraces their love of old school rap with In the Hands of the Gods featuring Biz Markie. The track sounds very much like a cleanly produced Markie track. I dig the bass, the synth noise, and for that matter Markie’s rapping talents. Among the other smooth songs featuring Edwards, this track seems somehow misplaced, but at less than two minutes it manages to hold my attention.
Ala 1976 discotheques, Shallow End is one of the grooviest and most driving tracks. Edwards’ vocals are showcased in contrast to her band mates typical disco melodies. I enjoy this track, if nothing more than for the skillful retro style. Also sounding a bit ‘retro’ is Be Yourself. I enjoy Edwards stretching to sound funky with her soft and melodic vocals. This is the best kind of upbeat party music, in my opinion.
Also of note is the first track, World Looking In. The melody is melancholy even if Edwards sounds upbeat and happy. Overall, I enjoy the track although it seems as though the song is somehow fighting with itself. It’s happy and sad all in the same breath. A Well Deserved Break is a Caribbean-flavored, steel drum/blues guitar -driven party track. If only for being a truly creative and different song, I enjoy simply closing my eyes and imagining the ocean breeze.
Morcheeba again pays tribute to old school rap with Love Sweet Love. Beginning with hip-hop scratching and then breaking into typical trip-hop, the song wavers between two extremes. Featuring, Mr. Complex, there’s no question that this is another example of how fun and free-flowing the British band and their music can be.
There are of course other tracks. Love is Rare is only an average effort. It also is horribly over produced. Any emotion that was meant to be in the track is removed by production. Good Girl Down, a celebration of women is strange and ill conceived. I much prefer most of the other tracks to this one featuring Bahamadia. Finally, there is the title track that antes up little more than a party track. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s also nothing special about yet another ‘fun’ song.
Overall, I think that this is a decent album…especially for fair weather friends of trip-hop. Fragments of Freedom could have been better had Morcheeba not been attempting to be somebody else. For reference, check out some of their earlier, groovier, albums like the aforementioned Big Calm. So far as this album goes, I give it 3/5 stars. I truly enjoy Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day. In fact, if you know and like that track I will definitely recommend this album to you.
Track Listing:
1. World Looking In
2. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
3. Love Is Rare
4. Let It Go
5. Well Deserved Break, A
6. Love Sweet Love - (featuring Mr. Complex)
7. In The Hands Of The Gods - (featuring Biz Markie)
8. Shallow End
9. Be Yourself
10. Coming Down Gently
11. Good Girl Down - (featuring Bahamadia)
12. Fragments Of Freedom
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*My first encounter with Morcheeba was thanks to an awesome student radio station broadcast from the campus of Michigan State University. Dubbed, ‘The Impact,’ the station also broadcasts over the web with ‘The Fix.’ For more information or to tune into a great modern rock/alternative/college rock station check out: http://thefix.org// and http://impact89fm.org/. I promise that all open-minded listeners will find something of merit…
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