Fun Lovin' Criminals
100% Colombian
Chrysalis
Hey Larry, pour me a drink; the boys are back in town. Yes, Fun Lovin' Criminals are indeed here again, with another of their unique, chilled out trips through New York, and you're invited. Oh yes.
100% Colombian is true FLC cool, but also a little more diverse than debut LP Come Find Yourself. Sure, there's still the chill out cruisin' of Up On The Hill and single Love Unlimited, and the wait-for-the-chorus mosh of 10th Street, but there's more besides. The lush orchestral spy-thriller soundtrack of All My Time Is Gone is gorgeous, and the excellent Southside gives a grateful nod to The Beastie Boys' Sabotage.
Shame it's not all as rosy as this really, but if you're going to diversify then you're bound to fall on your arse occasionally. Korean Bodega brings back petrifying memories of Craig McChachlan's toss-rock 'summer smash' Mona, (if you know the song then you're too old like me, sob!) and Mini Bar Blues is why I avoid most Country n' Western Music like the Plague. As they say, you can't get it right all of the time.
100% Colombian is a truly original album which is like gold-dust these days, but FLC still have their off moments, occasionally getting dangerously close to becoming a cliched band.
Think of this album as a bit like a cocktail with an umbrella in it - very flashy and different at first, but with a but of a wanky element breaking through once the novelty has worn off.
Another drink please Larry, but leave out the umbrella this time...
7/10 Karl Cremin