The Brighton Port Authority – I Think We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat
The BPA is the new project by Fatboy Slim. Slowly we have been hearing tracks from the album be released and now we finally have the full length record. Sadly, I think that the record sufferes the same ill-fate of most of Fatboy’s recent material. Yes, there is a lot of positives here but there only manages to be a few diamonds in the grass. This album features a huge list of collaborations with Simon Thornton, Tom Gandey (AKA Cagedbaby), Justin Robertson, Ashley Beedle, Lateef, Martha Wainwright, Jamie T, David Byrne & Dizzee Rascal, Iggy Pop, Olly Hite, Connan Mockasin, Pete York, Jack Penate and Emmy The Great.
The album starts off with Iggy Pop on vocals covering “He’s Frank” which is a cover of The Monochrome Set. If you are a fan of the original one steer clear of this cover as it will offend you. Sure, it is catchy but it just feels like a dumbed down version of the song. “Should I Stay or Should I Blow” is not a variation of the Clash classic but it is instead a very basic a simple. The track sounds a lot of fun just in the background but there is something very irritating about the chorus “Every day it’s yeah yeah yeah/ And every night it’s no no no.”
The record is not a complete waste as a few tracks really shine. “Seattle” featuring Emmy The Great is a charming little slice of pop goodness. The David Byrne and Dizee Rascal collaboration is another one of the true highlights. It is a little over the top but I can help but enjoy the tune and its silly subtext.
At times the album reminds me of a higher quality ‘Palookaville’ and as well know that is an album that would all like to forget. But, if anything download “ToeJam” and “Seattle” and enjoy the greatness of Emmy The Great.
