Sofa Surfers have proved as a group that brings eclecticism to the table. Founded in 1997, they have released eight albums ever since and Scrables, Anthems and Odysseys is their latest release.
Frequently compared to Massive Attack at the beginning of their career because of use of trip hop as a subtext, they somehow managed to distance themselves and constantly evolve. The passion for creating music took them to various places. Combination of electronic, rock and jazz is not a novelty but this Australians are doing it their way and they are walking on the edge of angst, melancholy and chill out. They were never afraid to experiment with the sound so I always expect something fresh from them.
Their 9th album is predominantly electronic. Maybe it would be better If it integrated more rock element as on Transit and Sofa Surfers. This one is weaker than their best efforts. I think it’s because they have decided to play with dub and electronic. Vocal is a bit in the background in order to accentuate electronic music. Let me say one thing clear – Sofa Surfers are not failing but this album could have been much better. Beyonder Girl is such a bad track with one of the worst vocal interpretations I have ever heard. Same thing with The Fixer (Refixed) and Mongrel .
Most Dangerous Man Alive recalls the old fame and the dub is a true touchdown. Scramble is a great hip hop influenced number. Raven-Us has the most attractive vocal, on the edge of r’n’b. The rest of the album balances between the old and the new sound with a lot of interventions in form of downtempo and chill out. They are known for turning potentially happy music into the dark melancholy and they are not afraid of the dark. They are walking in dark and they know where they are going. Still, the album has few weak spots and it is not for neverending repeat.
