Basement Jaxx - Crazy Itch Radio

Crazy Itch Radio is the latest release from South London duo Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Burton. A concept album revolving around a Basement Jaxx Radio Station, the album focuses on the trajectory of a disfunctional relationship, from the track “Take Me Back to Your House,” to “Lights Go Down” and the final track “U R On My Mind.” The intro kicks off with a symphonic, operatic opening, complete with violins and opera vocals. Then, without hesitation into the 1970s funk inspired “Hush Boy” with its Days-of-Our-Lives narrative. The following track brings on “DJ Double D Cherry” the voice of “Crazy Itch Radio,” which unfortunately breaks up the album in that Dr Dre and Snoop Dog concept album way, trying maybe a little too hard to establish some sort of cohesion. The tracks "Take Me Back to Your House" and "Hey U" have the same dated feeling as the rest of the album, and never seem to expand out into anything like an actual song. The highlight of the record is “On The Train” which has an easy, romantic feel, and a really well put together sound. This song is not over the top, rushed, or kitschy. Unfortunately it is one of the few songs on the album that can be described in such a fashion. The runner-up is the song “Smoke Bubbles” a night-club/cocktail lounge-ish track that has a subtle groove. [www.basementjaxx.co.uk]