Emergency On Planet Earth - Jamiroquai > Reviews > I am Too Young To Die

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money

Advantages:	Everythin'
Disadvantages:	Nuffin'

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Let's jump back. Back to a long time ago. It's the 'Revolution 1993', when we were 'Too Young To Die'. Yes, for those who can't remember, I am talking about Jamiroquai's first album: Emergency on Planet Earth. Their funky, jazz funky style with a 90s twist got us all grooving along. From their really old, really jazzy stuff, to their new, pretty drab disco music, although still good, Emergency on Planet Earth seems a great album, very appropriate at the moment. Perfect student music, if I ever heard it. Complaining about our screwed governments (true!) and how things could be better. And just look at Jay K's techni-colour dreamcoat inside the CD cover of Emergency on Planet Earth, to get another idea of what this music is.

Jamiroquai have been a really important part of my musical enjoyment. While really going away from their roots (probably not their decision, thanks record companies!) and being described as sell-outs, they are still great whether in their 'super-groovy bangin' choons' sorta way, or in their old Earth-loving ways of Emergency.

01. When You Gonna Learn (Digeridoo)
Another digerry-track, that -so- characterise Jamiroquai these day. You just can't stop grooving along to this track, it will take you over. Enjoy it. I did. -a really kick ass track!

02. Too Young To Die -one of the best tracks!
A song all about war, and why we shouldn't have it. Too true. A really feel-good track by J and crew, with such a wide variety of tones to sample. It may be old, but great music never dies. This song kicks ass. This is the 90's hippie music, and I am loving it! 'We don't want no war / We're too young to die'. Hey, things haven't been this free since the 60's. A six-minute jamming track. This is when Jamiroquai didn't have to worry about record companies and the other schmucks that run the 'industry'.

03. Hooked Up
A sort of 'false start' happened on this track, then when it gets in to it, it really starts going. This track rocks, like Too Young To Die rolls along with it's government-kicking message, this sits and rocks along. Not too much I can say about this track.

04. If I Like It, I Do It
A slow start with happy pumping sounds and positive lyrics "Cause I'm free to roam 'cause it's my home / You can't stop sweet inclination" and a rebellious streak "The kids want the system breaking down / not higher education". A really good track, of a great album.

05. Music of the Mind
A very-Jamiroquai synth sound rolls in, and saxophone gets layered over the top of it. This instrumental track is very laidback and 'kick-out', with bumpy an' nice drum soundings on top. This makes a nice break from the although excellent, sometimes tiring sounds of J K's vocals, and makes a nice half-way through track for the album

06. Emergency on Planet Earth -one of my favourites!
From it's synth and electric guitar introductions, through it's spiked lyrics "The kids need education / And the streets are never clean", the title track of Jamiroqaui's '93 album just oozes style and sophistication. An exploration of many problems of the world, racial injustice, the 'third world' and many other issues are also repeated throughout this masterpiece of a track and album. A favourite of the album!

07. Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop
Another great track from the Jamiroquai guys: expressive, funky and brilliant are understatements. The only problem is this is 'instantly forgettable' and I wouldn't really link it to Emergency on Planet Earth. Some might like it, but it's not me.

08. Blow Your Mind
This is my sort of track. A chilled piano track just makes this in to one of them. It's a love/lust/I-wanna-shag-Denise tracks, even though we are still thinking 1993, before she'd even done one edition of Big Breakfast. No political moanings, no 'lets-have-a-revolution', just pure unadulterated love ramblings with a really funky beat. Bring it on! It's pop music (? maybe) for jazz fans alike. The chorus sounding sax just adds that punch to the track, and the slow mumblings of electric piano add a hint of satisfaction. And the single sax solo is just sexy!

09. Revolution 1993
The penultimate. The climax. The moment of truth is here. The track that everyone talks about. Revolution 1993. That damn seductive bassline, those feel-good lyrics, those so-well-played drums. If Jamiroquai's Emergency on Planet Earth album is a crown, then this (cliche time) is a rather important jewel that sits in the center of it. Those bongos: it's a mindblowing experience. It's so difficult to describe how class this track is, yet listen to it. Just. Enjoy.

10. Didgin' Out
An instrumental digeridoo track, with funky drummings and tasty bassline all laid together in to a finale, a send off worthy of a royal member. Maybe not of a British Queen, but in an African or native American culture, this track combines native didgie sounds with funky jazz-funk style bass and drums to create a killer ending track. Rounds of the album nicely.

FINAL ADVICE
Buy this album. It's sheer political stance is so free and individualistic that nigh on kills politicians, and agrees with my ideas on politics: "The worst thing about politics is politicians." And, yes, you can quote me on that. With this album, you might also like 'On How Life Is' by Macy Gray. Although it doesn't contain this sort of lyrics or political stance, it's funky alternative sound is quite edgy in today's disposable R&B world. Just don't talk about Destiny's Child!