Reviews

And now for something completely different. The Go! Team have captured and distilled 40 minutes of pure vibrancy and energy on their new CD ‘Thunder, Lightning, Strike.’

Britain has a long heritage of dance/electronica acts like Chemical Brothers, Fat Boy Slim, Bloc Party – but here The Go! Team have forged something truly refreshing, unique and derivative of no-one or nothing else. Their new album is a blast of eclectic elements (cheerleading chants, nursery rhymes for example) combined with beats and rhythms that invigorate and enthuse the listener.

Take, for example, the no-holds-barred energy of ‘Panther Dash’ – combining blasting brass with ceaselessly pounding drums and chanting vocals – an uplifting song to say the least. Other successes  - the cheeky integration of 70’s elements in ‘Bottle Rocket’ and the mellow harmonica-fuelled ‘Everyone’s a V.I.P to Someone’ rounds out the album nicely. This is an album of twists and turns, surprises and delectations; the guitar driven introduction of ‘Get It Together’ – merges with classroom recorders and joyous children singing.

This is also an album packed with laudable creativity and experimentation. It is not surprising that The Go! Team were nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. After listening to this album you get the feeling that they deserved more than a just a nomination. One of the best ‘feel-good’ albums in recent memory.