 Along with lo-fi production, Africa seems to be the new cool in indie music for 2009. It should be no surprise that such a vast continent from which pretty much every musical genre known to man can trace its source is being mined for further inspiration, but what is a surprise is how little this has happened previously. Well better late than never I guess as it has provided some of the year’s most triumphant artists with valuable inspiration (Animal Collective, Foreign Born / Fool's Gold) as well as opening the door for Africa’s own artists to step into the world’s consciousness (BLK JKS, Buraka Som Sistema et al).
Where next then? Asia has certainly been a place of inspiration for Western artists since the days of The Beatles and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and in continues to be so. M.I.A is perhaps the most recently successful artist, not only of Asian origin, but one who fuses Eastern and Western musical styles, and much of her varied style can be heard in Rainbow Arabia’s “Kabukimono” (‘Let Them Dance (Brenmar Remix)’, ‘Haunted Hall’). There is also the obligatory African influence (‘Holiday in Congo’), as well as Caribbean (‘Harlem Sunrise’).
As well as an appreciation for music from different continents, Rainbow Arabia also display a keen pop nous; ‘Holiday in Congo’ and ‘Harlem Sunrise’ are as catchy as they are exotic. The problem with “Kabukimono” though is that too many tracks seem like works in progress; nice ideas where they play around with different styles from various parts of the globe, without ever stopping to apply those ideas to an actual song as they do with ‘Holiday in Congo’ and ‘Harlem Sunrise.’ ‘Haunted Hall’ and the title track are good examples of Rainbow Arabia’s aimlessness, yet even when they meander, their ideas remain interesting enough to engage you whilst you wait for the more realised ‘songs’.
If Rainbow Arabia can learn to harness their explorative minds, and apply that to solid song structures, then ‘Holiday in Congo’ and ‘Harlem Sunrise’ prove just how effective this could be. Until then it’s likely to be an interesting, but ultimately frustrating journey around the world in 80 ideas.
Tracklist:
1. Holiday In Congo
2. Haunted Hall
3. Kabukimono
4. Harlem Sunrise
5. I Know I See I Love I Go
6. Omar K (Ghosts On Tape remix)
7. Let Them Dance (Brenmar remix)
Last edited by altsounds : October 9, 2009 at 03:24 PM.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 6 | | Vocals / Lyrics | | 6 | | Musicianship | | 8 | | Production | | 7 | | Creativity | | 8 | | Lastability | | 6 | | Reviewers Tilt | | 7 |
69% | |
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Rainbow Arabia - Kabukimono [EP]
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Re: Rainbow Arabia - Kabukimono [EP]
Rainbow Arabia release the sunnier, dubbier "Kabukimono" today; Mexican With Guns rmx