Sam Sparro
Sam Sparro


4.0
excellent

Review

by shortz USER (1 Reviews)
June 21st, 2008 | 16 replies


Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A new school twist on an old school sound. As the song goes, “play that funky music white boy…”

Normally I’m hesitant in listening to albums from an unknown (to me) artist mainly because one or two songs will pop out, then listening to the whole album, I just find it isn’t on par with said songs. Now I’ve never heard anything about or by Sam Sparro, but what peaked my interest in him was the album art. I know they say ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ (or in this case an album by its album art) but in this circumstance, the outcome is a positive one.

With an eclectic mixture of genres (Funk, Dance, 80’s Synth, and Pop all littered about) Sparro and his production team succeed in comprising a strong debut album. Opening track Too Many Questions starts with a funky keyboard which leads to Sparro’s old school vocals. Lyrically simplistic yet catchy, Sparro effortlessly puts a new school feel on an old school sound. This is also applied to the current single, Black and Gold which has a chorus that could easily get stuck in your head for days. 21st Century Life is a standout track that showcases the best of Sparro's ability to mix funk, dance and a little jazz without it sounding forced and out of place.

Sick is a more synth / dance inspired track in which Sparro sings, “It’s a sick, sick world / I’ll be your medicine…” This track and Waiting for Time are slower in pace but they don’t take away from the overall sound or enjoyment. Waiting for Time conveys a jazz-pop feel which is refreshing. Lyrically while it’s nothing profound, it showcases Sparro's emotion in his words. Recycle It! sounds it should be accompanied with cartoons and made into a PSA, but it’s a nice interlude-like song nonetheless.

Cottonmouth and Hot Mess both showcase Sparro's diverse vocal ability with the former sounding more like a Prince inspired track (if Prince sung about Marijuana in lieu of sex) and the latter sounding like Curtis Mayfield’s Kung Fu. Pocket sounds like it was plucked out of the 80’s and dressed up with today’s dance music. Lyrically it's a new spin on some old age advice. Another standout track is Cut Me Loose which would have been a perfect radio track on Grand Theft Auto’s Vice City had this album come out in 2002. Cut Me Loose feels somewhat reminiscent of Roger and Zapp's More Bounce to the Ounce as it is a great dance track filled with the synth of the 70's and it makes you forget about the stresses of everyday life.

Sally, in which Sparro sings about a stripper from an emotionally and possibly physically abusive home, musically is a darker tinged pop / dance sound. It feels a little out of place considering the issue, but doesn’t hamper the album any less. Sparro then returns to form in the spunky second last track, Clingwrap; the soundtrack to any clingy relationship. Finally, Can’t Stop This! brings a superb album to a close with all the genres encompassed into a song that leaves you wanting more.

Even if you’re not a fan of this type of music, there’s something about this album just grabs you and doesn’t let go. Whether it be the vocals, music or just sheer funkiness of it, Sam Sparros’ debut is a must have for this summer.


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Comments:Add a Comment 
MadnessUnhallowed
August 2nd 2008


403 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I have yet to hear all of this, but I like the two singles, which coming from a metal head is pretty surprising. It's catchy.



Might have to check the whole thing out.



Good first review.

Spare
December 17th 2008


5567 Comments


I hate both the singles greatly.

Also, jazzlolwut

Captain North
December 17th 2008


6793 Comments


First two singles are actually pretty cool.

shortz
December 28th 2008


201 Comments


Also, jazzlolwut


You know what? I don't even know why I put that in there... I'll take it out.

Trifolium
May 4th 2019


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This album is my jam. Weirdest but biggest 5 in history!



YYOOUU'RE VERRY SEEXXYYYYY!

dedex
Staff Reviewer
July 29th 2020


12829 Comments


'CAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT REALLY HERE

THEN THE STARS DON'T EVEN MAAAATTER

Trifolium
July 29th 2020


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Omg dedex hello best bump ever!!!

Trifolium
June 23rd 2021


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Bump for zak ahahahahahahahahahhaahah 🎇✨🎇

someone
Contributing Reviewer
June 23rd 2021


6954 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

oh god



this thing

NorthernSkylark
June 23rd 2021


12134 Comments


Oh captain my captain !!???!

Trifolium
June 23rd 2021


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

🌈🌈⚡🌈🌈

zakalwe
June 23rd 2021


40148 Comments


Going to dive into this, cheers trif

Trifolium
June 23rd 2021


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

AHhahaha zak 🤭



Beyond curious to hear what you think about this.

zakalwe
June 23rd 2021


40148 Comments


The bloke is clearly an almighty bellend but:

1. Nice daft punk rhythms.
2. Very very very summer beach holiday vibe. I can almost see the sun setting in the Balearics from my imagined hotel balcony while listening to it.
3. You like it.

A 3.7 with ❤️

Trifolium
June 23rd 2021


39957 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This makes me happy ✨😍

brandontaylor
September 18th 2021


1228 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this really teeters on the line of groovy brilliance and insufferable pastiche... averages out at around a 3.3



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