“It is the most requested song we’ve ever had in the 11 years we have been on the air,” the words of programme director of US radio station KNRK, in reference to Bassboosa’s cover version of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’.
However don’t get too excited, this says more about the average American’s music taste than the quality of Bassoosa’s cover. Bassboosa manage to butcher Isaak’s haunting love song. With one foul swoop they rip out its heart, replacing the domineering bass that carries the delicate song like a pacemaker with cutting acoustic guitar and a frankly annoying synthesiser. But they don’t stop there, their snare filled drums and whiney vocals dismantle its soul leaving 4 minutes and 22 seconds of hollow pop nonsense.
However this is only the start of problems on Bassboosa’s self titled debut. But first, time for a bit of background. Band members Jasmine Badir and Tim Clarke met whilst working in a London record store a few years ago and began writing and recording songs together; the recording, including that of the album, was done in Tim’s parents’ attic.
The album is scheduled for release on January 3rd through Champion Records. And they have indeed released some Champion records, (…apologies, that is poor) launching the careers of Oakenfold, Dido and the all conquering Faithless. However don’t expect this outfit to be filling stadiums 10 years after their debut as the latter have.
The album starts off well enough with ‘Cry’, it’s the kind of song that would accompany the montage at the start of student’s favourite Hollyoaks. Its acoustic poppy nature would complement images of student actors looking miserable over their Corn Flakes perfectly. Things however deteriorate from here on in. ‘Wish I Didn’t’ sounds like a late 1999 era Spice Girls album track, its lack of purpose and direction leaves it stranded somewhere in its 4.20 like a small hedgerow animal caught in headlights. Tracks, ‘Give It Up’ and ‘Lost’ are evidence of more of this uninspiring tosh that litters the album.
However glimpses of hope do appear in track four, ‘Succumb’, an acoustic jingle and electro back bone chase each other round its powerful chorus to pleasing effect. Indeed, watch out for this song accompanying images of a gas guzzling machines gliding round open roads in a car advert soon. However it’s ‘Dry Clay’ that stands head and shoulders above anything else on the album, the stripped down acoustic guitar and slightly disturbing vocals lead it to be a largely unsettling listen, reminiscent almost of Radiohead.
Finally what should also be mentioned is the quite resplendent cover and album art. The unconventional look and quite beautiful material ensures you can’t help but want to discover what is inside. However this isn’t enough to save this largely disappointing debut from Bassboosa and further goes to promoting the saying, ‘never judge something by its cover.’
By Ben James
January 28th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Great review, great humour, shame about the band I guess!
June 30th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Wicked Game is a great song itself. In lucky good cover of this song in modern way could make this song only adapted to nowadays.