100% Colombian - Fun Lovin' Criminals > Reviews > Schmoover and schmoover Experiment in updating

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money

Advantages:	Some great songs
Disadvantages:	A little to laid back

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

100% Columbian is the second album from America’s smoothest rockers, Fun Lovin’ Criminals. FLC music consists of a mix of rock, blues, rap and lounge. You’ll have to trust me on this one, but that combination sounds much better than you’d expect. The Fun Lovin’ Criminals are one of the most original sounding bands putting out records today. The only other artist who sounds remotely like them are the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Come Find Yourself was a (probably quite surprising) success for the band. However, no band should stand on it’s laurels, and indeed, no great band does. Whereas on the first FLC album, Come Find Yourself, the rock, blues, rap and lounge mix was fairly equal, 100% Columbian has the rock factor turned right down with the blues and lounge cranked up. The result is a much more laid back album that has more groove than attitude.

The first track on the album, Up On the Hill, is a good example of the change in direction. A laid back song full of sleazy sax and laid back rapping from singer Huey. Following straight on is Love Unlimited, if you have even the slightest interest in the Fun Lovin’ Criminals you simply MUST have heard this track. Again, it’s laid back but it’s the “Barry White, save my life” lyrics that the song is most well known for. Skipping a couple of less interesting tracks we come to Back on the Block, a jazzy track with a gorgeous vibe’s intro, very schmoove indeed. There are more great tracks but I won’t spoil it all for you. However, it is worth mentioning that BB King makes an appearance on the album on the last track, Mini Bar Blues, another schmoove and indeed, somewhat surprising moment.

I find I listen to this less than I listen to Come Find Yourself, as it’s more of a mood album and I don’t always feel like being schmooved. But don’t count me being picky against it, if you like Come Find Yourself then you should also enjoy this, it certainly beats Mimosa, the ‘B-Sides and versions’ album, which I found quite disappointing.