Fatboy Slim - I Think We're Going to Need a Bigger Boat (2009)

Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, is back on the scene with "I Think We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat" that, in truth, was not exactly what this Rockafeller Skank was expecting.

Few can reminisce about Fatboy Slim's sweat inducing 1990s dance beats and express a negative opinion.

When it came to good rhythm, Mr. Slim was no amateur and while some may disagree, I am sure that witnessing Christopher Walken shake his booty (and indeed even fly around an empty hotel in the acclaimed film clip to Weapon of Choice) is enough to make anyone's day.

Whilst this new album takes a different turn in Cook's musicality, it is by no means a disappointment.

Throughout Cook's new project, "I Think We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat", it becomes clear that he has thrown off the shackles of his previous alter ego and instead honed in on his creative production talents under the new moniker, The BPA, or the Brighton Port Authority.

The album is a collaboration of Cooks trademark sound and a collection of unique vocalists, including the likes of David Byrne, Iggy Pop and Martha Wainwright.

While it is suggested that the boat is of insufficient size, I would still recommend climbing aboard; there is something for everyone, with a mixture of rock, soul and dance.

Cook is no longer dwelling in his  mid 90s rave pop approach and has instead done a complete 180 degree spin and produced twelve tracks of a rather good-vibe, dare I say, mellow nature.

We begin with the first track, a cover of The Monochromes' He’s Frank performed by Iggy Pop in his renowned dry croon, this time with a hint of the subterranean.

As opening tracks go, it's a strong one, and is likely to be hailed by many as the highlight of the album, sans Toe Jam with the unlikely duo of David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal.

Iggy Pop, however endearing he always manages to be, can be said to have eluded the actual storyline of the song, as his presentation of the lyrics is choppier, seeming random and rather dopey and when compared to the original version it renders itself as somewhat less impressive.

Though with this considered, Iggy has never been renowned for his profundity and it is likely that this less generic delivery was exactly what Cook intended.

Dirty Sheets, featuring Pete York, is a big step down with its incredibly sentimental lyrics ("He's going to make you leak/ Beneath the Sheets") and its lacklustre melody. Its one of the few duds on the album that inspire one to flick on to the next.

Of equal standard to this are Island (featuring Justin Robertson) and Local Town with Jamie T. Both tracks are a slow point of an already chilled album - and are conveniently piled on one after the other. It is less effort to press 'skip' twice in a row than intermittently.

Jumps The Fence featuring Conan Mockasin is borderline ridiculous with its queer melody line and inane lyrics, but fortunately, this is a factor that works towards its appeal rather than against it.

The monotonous and prominent voicing of the lyrics is suitably random in conjunction with the unique musicality of its featured artist.

Should I Stay Or Should I Blow featuring Ashley Beedle is the closest to a dance melody, and one cannot help but find themselves singing along unconsciously. Emmy The Great also provides as a stand out feature on the album with her soft vocals peddling the catchy and beautiful Seattle.

Almost equally as pleasant is Spade (featuring Martha Wainwright) demonstrating a new ska-like vocal style, which is engaging enough but lacks Seattle’s memorable melody. Superlover and Superman, ironically both a little mediocre, are still enjoyable songs and have enough to cut the mustard melodiously.

The aforementioned Toe Jam should appeal to most. It is hard to go wrong with such a funky tune, sporadic fast paced rapping (courtesy of Dizzee) and David Byrne dropping the F-bomb amidst overtly random lyrics depicting every day obstacles as the jam between his toes; a life philosophy that is far from trite.

We end with Olly Hite's performance of So It Goes as a loose and easy flowing cover of Nick Lowe's single which concludes the album light-heartedly.

Most of the BPA's featuring soloists bring something to the table and those that don't pop at least provide suitable background noise.

Cook should be commended for braving the stray from his Fatboy mode and creating a somewhat innovative and vintage indie rock repertoire, dressed to the nines in talented and peculiar feature artists, each complimented and accentuated by the stylistic and creative methods of production.

If there is room in your CD case I advise the addition of the BPA's "I Think We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat".

If you haven't got the room, well then, I think you're going to need a bigger CD case.

Try IKEA...

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

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