If there was ever a crime for false advertising, Boomkat would be guilty -- incredible artwork and a cutting edge video for their radio hit "Wreckoning" got me all wet and excited for a cool CD. Pop it in the CD player and the overture is cool and I am jamming to Wreckoning - but the track "Now Understand This" begins a string of incredibly boring tracks, sadly, who told them that they should channel their inner Neneh Cherry from 1989.
"Wasting My Time" is an apt description of the four tracks in a row of sheer mediocrity that had me aching to hit the eject button, I guess hearing that Eminem had used the song in 8 Mile should have been a sign that it was going to be torturous.
Then I hear "Know Me" -- and there is a slight improvement. Moving away from boring hip-hop inflected filler, they start having fun again.. "Daydreaming" continues the improvement with a sense of Lamb crossed with One Dove while "Crazy Love" channels the Beastie Boys - making me ache for the forthcoming Fannypack album.
The artwork and agressive lyrics- wow, they use dirty words- suggest something a lot more agressive than is delivered. It feels like they had an image and ideas that were watered down for mainstream consumption, which is a true shame. "Wreckoning" and "Look at all the people" are both amazing songs, and the songs that take chances pay off. At its best, Boomkatalog is an energetic fusion of hip-hop and jungle, but at its worst it is a mishmash of wannabe styles. The brother/sister team of Kellin and Taryn have some good ideas but this is not the best album they were capable of making.
