Music For A Mellow Meltdown
Need music to chill out to? Need something for a mellow meltdown? Well the simple solution seems to come in the form of Nightmares On Wax latest album, 'In A Space Outta Time'. True, the name may suggest that this will be music to make your ears bleed, the type full of wailing guitars and body shaking drum beats but in reality Nightmares On Wax possess about as much rock quality as Girls Aloud. With a mix of simmering soul, infectious rhythms and a totally laid back attitude, Nightmares On Wax magically transport you from you living room couch to a hammock by the sea as each track washes over you and relieves every ounce of stress.
Previous single release, 'Passion' regrettably opens the album and the sheer length and repetitiveness of the track almost detracts from the album itself and tempts you to simply switch off from the start. At seven minutes long, 'Passion' never actually goes anywhere, beats are repeated to the point where they all melt into one and there is an overwhelming urge to admit defeat and leave the rest of the album. Perseverance does however pay dividends as 'Flip Ya Lid' instantaneously injects life into the album merely with the opening bars, constructed around an uplifting tune being whistled before a bass line kicks in and a reggae rhythm takes control of the track and your body alike. Woven within this framework are truthfully laden, observant lyrics with a depth and meaning to even rival the musical quality of the track. From this point Nightmares On Wax appear to be on course once more.
'Pudpots' orchestrates a blues jazz tempo that swings and sways in all it's melodious glory, paying homage to classic blues and yet incorporating enough of an edge to take on any modern day rival. Likewise 'Damn' and 'Me!' overflow with sublimely soulful vocals and chilled out beats that are entirely reminiscent of soul classics. 'Damn' in particular possesses female vocals which convey a sweet and light innocence along with a wise authoritative nature that commands attention and radiates a soulful tranquillity. Just at the point where you are chilled out to the max, relaxed to the point of becoming comatose, Nightmares On Wax revive you with their final track, 'African Pirates'. Coming complete with a carnival tempo and an undeniably invigorating beat 'African Pirates' jolts the mind and consciousness back to reality that livens up the entire album.
'In A Space Outta Time' does at times verge on being too repetitive and rather too laid back, facts that do hinder it more then they should. There are tracks that seem to drag along a road that is heading nowhere very slowly and yet there are hidden gems that command your full attention and should not be lost amongst the mediocre. Faithful followers of Nightmares On Wax who first embraced the act a surprising sixteen years ago will of course appreciate the album in its entirety but sadly others may simply see it as a mellow collection of hits to wind down to after a stressfully long day.