Album Review: Crookers

Tons of Friends
Label: |
Southern Fried Records |
Released: |
Mar 10 2010 |
Genre: |
House/Electro |
Review by: |
Zea Endacott-Lockhart |
Tons of Friends
Album Review: Crookers
Despite being known for their remixing skills - Kid Cudi's 'Day'N'Night' most recently prominent - Crookers return to invade our senses with an extraterrestrial alien sound that sky rockets us to the musically unknown. On only their second full length, their bleeping build drops Rivmixx into something musically curious and as the cool drum beats roll with a clank and the vigour takes over we're sure we're onto a winner.
With 'Tons of Friends' literally brought in to the mix, Crookers aren't short of styles to pick through - something they do with a keen ear. Roisin Murphy, Soulwax, Kelis, and Kid Cudi all get an airing, as do their respective musical fields.
Muffled lyrics don't deaden or dampen the mood but serve to intensify the ruthless drop that 'We Love Animals' strikes with. 'No Security' sweeps in with some rap laden vibes where ghetto rhymes get possessed by a space invader. Roisin Murphy's disjointed vocals exaggerate the jagged beat that pervades from 'Hold Up Your Hand'. The sensual streams of lyrics match the slow sensuality of the beat; a fluid noise matures encouraging the body to move naturally.
Although 'Tee Pee Theme' starts with an interesting beat, the track is one of the few on the album that does become a bit tedious and tiresome, but the dubstep music beat that shifts through 'Have Mercy' quickly rids us of negative vibes. 'Embrace the Martian' brings the album to a pleasant close with some hip hop laden rhymes and some nice lyrical currents.
If there was one word to describe this album it would have to be eclectic as every track jumps into different territory than the last. Soulwax, Kelis, and Kid Cudi all feature throughout the album, generating a true blend of styles - all, surprisingly, complimentary of eachother. Where some people wouldn't utter such artists in the same sentence, here Crookers unites them to create a masterpiece.
'Tons of Friends' is an album that explains why and how this Italian DJ duo have dispersed from playing tiny venues and are now attacking the major clubs and festivals. Rivmixx hails this exploratory album for its ability to transform and re-rub well loved tunes into an otherworldly realm.
Tracklist: Crookers - Tons of Friends
CD #1
01 We Love Animals – Crookers feat Soulwax & Mixhell
02 No Security – Crookers feat Kelis
03 Natural Born Hustler – Crookers feat Pitbull
04 Lets Get Beezy – Crookers feat Will I Am
05 Park The Truck – Crookers feat Spank Rock
06 Hold Up Your Hand – Crookers feat Roisin Murphy
07 Hip Hop Changed – Crookers feat Rye Rye
08 Cooler Couleur – Crookers feat Yelle
09 Birthday Bash – Crookers feat The Very Best, Marina & Dargen D’amico
10 Put Your Hands On Me – Crookers feat Kardinal Offishal & Carla Marie
11 Royal T – Crookers feat Roisin Murphy
12 Remedy – Crookers feat Miike Snow
13 Arena – Crookers feat Poirier & Face-T
14 Tee-Pee Theme – Crookers feat Drop The Lime
15 Transilvania – Crookers feat Steed Lord
16 Have Mercy – Crookers feat Carrie Wilds
17 Jump UP – Crookers feat Major Lazer, Leftside & Supahype
18 Lone White Wolf – Crookers feat Tim Burgess
19 Day N’ Nite (Acapella Skit)
20 2Embrace The Martian – Crookers feat Kid Cudi
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