lambchops's Full Review: When I Was Born For the 7th Time by Cornershop
While Cornershop is apparently well known in England for their anti-racism stance, in America the band is known for little more than one song. That song, Brimful of Asha, was in actuality more than just a funky, trippy, hip love song. In actuality, it was an ode to Indian singer Asha Bhosle.
So why would a London-based band choose such an unconventional person as the focus? Well, that bent likely comes from Tjinder Singh’s Punjabi background. Despite forming in Britain, the band is decidedly diverse featuring Tjinder on vocals and guitars and as songwriter, Ben Ayers (guitar), Avtar Singh (guitar), Anthony Saffery (sitar, keyboard), and drummer Nick Simms. This quintet, formed in 1992, has managed to blend indie pop and electronica with the music of India. At times even elements of hip-hop make an unexpected appearance.
Before hitting it big on 1997’s critically acclaimed When I Was Born for the 7th Time, Cornershop released two other albums. Hold on It Hurts [1994, 1995] combined the material with earlier EP’s only previously available in Britain. Woman’s Gotta Have It quickly followed with pointed messages about racism, politics, and stereotypes…all with a very mainstream, infectious pop twist.
When I Was Born for the 7th Time, released on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, was a revolutionary album and a major step in the right direction for Cornershop. The thrust of the album is certainly still toward politics and multiculturalism. And, with the tidy blend of Indian foundations with a very modern twist, the album was well received by critics and fans alike. In fact, this album was the first time that America got a taste of the London band.
Containing fifteen tracks, When I Was Born for the 7th Time is longer and more complex than listeners only acquainted with Brimful of Asha might expect. All songs written by Singh aside from the classic Beatle tune Norwegian Wood and a performance by the now deceased and famed beat poet Allen Ginsberg (as aided by Cornershop) is also featured. In all, When I Was Born for the 7th Time is a major musical achievement.
Of course, the most known song is Brimful of Asha. Aside from the dedication I mentioned above, the track is the perfect example of really amazing pop music that is totally appealing to the masses yet somehow remains artistically honest and completely original. On the surface, it’s a simple track yet a little investigation turns up layers upon layers of cleanly arranged and produced instruments ranging from sitars to a stringed quartet. It seems a sort of geek love fest, and I suppose that’s the truth on an elementary level. This song landed on the charts and pushed Cornershop into the limelight. And with infectious lyrics like these you can see why:
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow, everybody needs a bosom.
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow, everybody needs a bosom.
Fortunately for new fans, Cornershop had more to offer than just one luminous song. They are talented men whom are again perfect on Sleep on the Left Side. Once again, pop doesn’t get better than this. But, it’s not pop in the same vein as that typically belched up by Americans. With a flute, accordion, drums, and repetitive melodies driving the track it borders on experimentalism. The entire premise of the song is something that I cannot begin to grasp. It’s intelligent, and directly related to the aforementioned Punjabi culture.
Funky Days Are Back Again is well, um, funky. But funky refers to something a bit different than just funk. Sure the beat is somewhat typical to that kind of music, but it’s more hollow and melodic and much more electronic. Cornershop once again puts layers upon layers of melody and instrument on top one another in an at first loose manner. Of course, this inherent looseness is very purposeful and something that few bands can accomplish without sounding like utter fools.
One last truly memorable track is Good To Be On The Road Back Home Again. The xylophone mixed with repetitive percussion and Singh’s vocals prove a perfect combination once again. Instead of sounding like a hip, funky electronica track it sounds more akin to country than anything else. And with the guest appearance of Paula Frazer, the song ends up unexpectedly emotional and very much like a ballad. It’s a must listen to say the very least.
There are of course other amazing songs that should appeal to more adventurous pop fans like Good Sh*t and Candyman. Some tracks are more experimental and Eastern than others. For example, Norwegian Wood is sung totally in Singh’s native language and is thus something totally different than the original. Others like Butter The Soul and the instrumental Chocolat are also notable songs with Indian influences.
Overall, this is an impressive album. When I Was Born for the 7th Time is notable for it’s themes, lyrics, but above all other things atypical pop experimentalism. The end result is memorable and creative. Cornershop certainly has a lot to live up to in their continuing career. It will certainly be a challenge to equal this musical triumph. I highly recommend this disc to fans of indie pop and more experimental mainstream pop fans. If you don’t think you can stomach the sitars and Indian influences you might want to avoid this. Otherwise, buy When I Was Born for the 7th Time immediately. It’s an important album.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
1. Sleep on the Left Side
2. Brimful of Asha
3. Butter the Soul
4. Chocolat
5. We’re In Yr Corner
6. Funky Days are Back Again
7. What Is Happening?
8. When The Light Appears Boy
9. Coming Up
10. Good Sh*t
11. Good To Be On The Road Back Home
12. It’s Indian Tobacco My Friend
13. Candyman
14. State Troopers (Part 1)
15. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
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