Rock met dance a long time ago, and at times it's proved an uneasy relationship, but it's also produced some quality music with wide-ranging appeal. Post-rave chart toppers Utah Saints return after a rather lengthy absence, having largely evolved into a rock-meets-breakbeat guise. At best here is the party-pleasing single, 'Power To The Beats', which is fuelled by a heavy Metallica guitar sample and forceful rap from Public Enemy's Chuck D.
This guise also works well when the rockin' beats are boosted with the thundering kick of rave references on 'Sick'. Funk legend Edwin Starr features on 'Funky Music', which has more in common with raw rock, than with funk.
The Saints steer away from the formula for 'Love Song', which has a wonderfully understated driving momentum, with a slight Underworldish feel to it.
Attempts to go the downtempo beats route meet with mixed success, from the nearly unlistenable 'Massive', which has a "vocal" that sounds somewhat like grandpa attempting to gargle and sing at the same time, to the gentle keyboards and muted atmospherics of 'B777'.
The chilled funk of 'Three Simple Words' basks in the most flattering light. Here, restrained orchestration and atmospheric vocal produce a lovely result. It looks like this time around, the Utah Saints will still be rocking dance floors with their wide crossover appeal, along with showing some maturity and variation, as well.
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