[rating=4.50]
Faithless is like your favorite DJ: they know, or at least provide, exactly the right song for every occasion.
I will admit up front I’ve been a fan of this English group since the early 90s, when their club anthem “Insomnia” was the soundtrack for many an energized night. However, even back then, their albums were a perfect blend. Somehow, Faithless was able to create both down-tempo songs perfect contemplation and self-reflection, mid-tempo songs that easily accompanied a summer evening hanging out, and massive club anthems with the power to drive thousands to the dance floor.
In a stroke of awesome with The Dance, Faithless has managed to continue that trend, and their careful balancing act. The opening song, “Not Going Home,” proves once again that they have the chops to own a dance floor, with what is sure to soon be (or already be) a memorable, bring-down-the-roof riff. While they stumble a bit on the second track (the only weak tune on the album in this reviewer’s opinion, this one sounds a little too much like… the Talking Heads, perhaps?), they cruise on through an exciting variety of musical threads, exploring reggae (“Crazy Bal’heads”), down tempo (the vaguely sinister “Comin’ Round,” the Air-like“Flyin Hi,” and the melodic “Love Is My Condition”), and more dancefloor fodder (“Tweak Your Nipple,” “Feelin Good”). Dido. the sister of Faithless producer Rollo, also once again makes an appearance on the lovely “North Star.”
Finally, in classic Faithless style, the album ends with another song sure to soon be tearing up dance floors, “Sun to Me.” Growing in power from a steadily pulsing entre, Maxi Jazz’s chants soon find their perfect match in a growing synth line that simply begs one to dance until dawn.
If you’re seeking the perfect album to carry you along no matter your mood, to get you moving and bring you up, down, and up again, you will not be disappointed with The Dance.
