Stop the world I want to get off…
The Cinnamon Chasers are the brain child of Russ Davies, whom we are told is the nephew of founder Kink-sters Ray and Dave Davies, however this is nothing like The Kinks. Had it been then this would’ve been a totally different review. What we have here is a trippy-space-electronica. It sounds a little like something out of the 80’s, and indeed a orgy between the likes of Pet Shop Boys and Jean-Michael Jarre with Herbie Hancock adding a few beats here and there.
The first track is, ‘I Like Watching You’ which is presumably a voyeuristic anthem, with synthesisers and big beats, I could imagine it on the soundtrack to a French art film from 1983. ‘Jetstreams’ could be Pet Shop Boys at a space-age dance club, whereas ‘Wishing For The Fire’ is more New Romantics and could be Spandau Ballet. The music for, ‘The World Is Yours’ sounds promising, however Russ’s voice is so gentle and mild that it’s lost behind the crescendo of synthesiser beats and melodies.
Things start getting slightly monotonous on the slow plod of, ‘Candle Lights’, and whilst there might be some impressive keyboard skills in, ‘Adored’ this subject was executed by the Stone Roses a lot better. ‘Luv Deluxe’ is an anti-climax song making you think it is going somewhere when in fact it just goes on and on like a long and boring intro. ‘Modern Love’ has the same issue albeit the beats are stronger and harder, and if some rap lyrics were spat over the top then the song would be improved by 500%. ‘Ray Of Sun’ has flashes of moments whereby I’m not banging my head against the speakers willing it to stop. Unfortunately, ‘Ultraviolet’ doesn’t make me feel any different, and whilst again there are some great beats in ‘White Flag’ the vocals are too chilled and detract from the strong background. Last song, ‘Your Heart Isn’t Open Anymore’ is a little like George Michael and I’m undecided as to whether this is a good or bad thing in relation to what I’ve heard on the rest of the album.
I could imagine this playing in a club whereby everyone was on drugs lounging around and staring at walls flashing and changing shapes and colours like a screen-saver, however for an album that you’d purchase and sit down to listen to then I can’t see many people finding much entertainment here. For the most part the boring and inane beats make me contemplate suicide, or at least what I’m doing with my life that allows me to be open to having to hear this drivel. I don’t doubt that Mr Davies has some talent, I just think that he needs a partner with some oomph and anarchy to bring this space cadet back to earth!