Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Basement Jaxx

  • Remedy [Astralwerks, 1999] **
  • Rooty [Astralwerks, 2001] A-
  • Kish Kash [Astralwerks, 2003] ***
  • Crazy Itch Radio [Astralwerks, 2006] **
  • Scars [Ultra/XL, 2009] **

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Remedy [Astralwerks, 1999]
Like so much good house, more fun than reading the newspaper and less fun than advertised ("Red Alert," "Rendez-Vu"). **

Rooty [Astralwerks, 2001]
I wish they'd hire human singers. Cyborgs can grate on the ears, and I bet they don't suck dick that good either. Still, no catchier collection of jingles has come to my attention since Steve Miller made his mint off jet airliners. So though I know it's dance music, that's not how I hear it. A*Teens my a-hole, this is the real Europop--such as it is. A-

Kish Kash [Astralwerks, 2003]
Is that blood the big-time vocalists smear on the tracks, or ichor? ("Lucky Star," "Cish Cash," "Right Here's the Spot") ***

Crazy Itch Radio [Astralwerks, 2006]
Interchangeable ladies detail interchangeable ups and downs over beats whose changeabilty supposedly renders them indelible ("Take Me Back to Your House," "Run 4 Cover"). **

Scars [Ultra/XL, 2009]
As good as their cameos as usual, led by Yo Majesty, Yoko, and Ms. Paloma Faith, who is clearly worthy of domestic consumption ("Twerk," "Day of the Sunflowers [We March On]"). **