Walk it Like you Talk It?

Alex Rawls — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:07:42 +0000

In my post on the Gabe Dixon Band, I wished that there was a little more at stake in his music, and that the moderateness of it made the album seem as if nothing was at stake. I understand the sensible nature of the music; it must be tough to live when you spend your life worried about hit-level sales. I suspect that many of us would end up like Britney in the armoire if we experienced some of the pressures she’s dealt with.

This comesÂ to mindÂ listening to Tricky’s KnowleÂ West Boy.Â The album sounds outflanked by time, and M.I.A. and Dizzee Rascal immediately came to mind as artists inÂ more dangerous or more progressive places – the places Tricky once occupied.Â Particularly absent is the murk and ickiness of Maxinquaye and the albums that followed it, and while it must be easier to live in a less dour, self-consciouslyÂ outrageous place, the music lacks urgency and edge. The trade-off makes sense – theÂ emotionally exhausting, high riskÂ short termÂ for a long haul you get to enjoy – butÂ the loss of edge is a tough loss. Â Â Â Â

Louisiana Music Directory » Tricky

Walk it Like you Talk It?