Sorted magAZine
Album Reviews
FeaturesAlbum ReviewsConcert ReviewsSingle Reviews
Beats per MinuteSordidDistortedIndustry GuideContact UsArchives

Fun Lovin' Criminals - Mimosa (Chrysalis)

On one hand, "Mimosa" is a typical filler album, a collection of previously released B-sides and bonus tracks with a few new cover versions thrown in for good measure. FLC are not the first, nor will they be the last, band to release a CD like this to keep interest in the band high while they come up with a new album.

On the other hand, the tracks on this CD may take the joke that is FLC a bit too far. Nobody really takes this band seriously, least of all, it seems, themselves. Songs like 'Scooby Snacks', 'King of New York' or 'Love Unlimited' have mixed an ironic cool and a very smart sense of humour and are very appealing. But on "Mimosa", they go way too far. An album of 'lounge' tracks may have seemed like a good idea at the time, and on the first listen it does raise a smile. It does not, however, stand up to repeated listenings.

The alternate versions of their own tracks are inferior to the originals. Some of the cover versions are totally ridiculous, like 10CC's 'I'm Not in Love' or Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train', both done in cabaret style, while others are simply crap, like 'We Have All the Time in the World', which stomps all over Louis Armstrong's grave. Others still, like the classic Sinatra track 'Summer Wind', performed with Echo & the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch, are just there, nothing special. Our own Jack L's version of that track is far superior. In fact, only the first track, a cover of the Climax Blues Band's 'Couldn't Get it Right', shows any potential. The smooth, and truly cool vibe of the song, actually hints at the possibility that FLC could become more that an ironic joke at some point. Time will tell.

Donnacha DeLong

Forum The Sorted magAZine discussion forum is back, just click on the text above.

What's On
Tired of trawling through event listings, 95% of which you have absolutely no interest in? Try ours, it's guaranteed Crap Free TM

Update List
Enter your email address below and click go