ARTIST: Nizlopi
TITLE: Make It Happen
LABEL: FDM Records
GENRE: Folk
BITRATE: 171 kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 00:50:59
SIZE: 66.7MB
RETAIL DATE: 2008-00-00
Track List
----------
1. Tape Spooling 0:06
2. Start Beginning 3:06
3. I'm Alive Again 3:39
4. Find Me 3:06
5. Feel Inside 3:22
6. Last Night In Dakar 3:49
7. Drop Your Guard 4:15
8. The One 3:57
9. Part Of Me 3:43
10. Without You 3:44
11. England Uprise (Featuring Benjamin Zephaniah) 3:58
12. Love Is 3:30
13. Flooded Quarry 3:44
14. If You Care About It... 3:51
15. Lay Down 3:09
Release Notes:
When Nizlopi crashed into the pop arena in 2004 they were swept up in the
socio-commentary avalanche that has since engulfed the music scene. While Mike
Skinner was already a veteran of the documentary style, (Don't Mug Yourself was
released in 2002), Leamington Spa duo Luke Concannon and double bass sidekick
John Parker's soulful approach was markedly different. Best known for the
phenomenally successful JCB Song the duo combined easy listening soulfulness
with acoustic flare. The story-telling approach may now be a little passΘ, but
the Nizlopi follow-up has some insightful moments.
While adolescents could relate to The JCB Song because it addressed common
insecurities, Make it Happen also broaches teenage anxieties and aspirations.
Digital single Start Beginning kicks off in a positive vein with gospel backing
vocals tossed in for added vibrancy. If You Care About It û one of the album's
catchier tracks û treads a similar inspirational course; the easy-funky vibe
encapsulates summer daydreams perfectly (Something to do with Bob Marley
producer Phill Brown who lends a hand here perhaps?).
Most interesting is the up-tempo material: Feel Inside is a tumbling carnival of
off-the-hook double bass, fragmented rap fragments and breathless skiffle while
England Up Rise with its sing-along chorus is immediately memorable (if somewhat
let-down by empty lyrics û ''we can change it for everyoneàlove is a revolution
you don't need a gun'').
ConconnanÆs distinctive vocal is complimented by inventive but not invasive
string and guitar arrangements. For the most part his sentiments ring true, but
sometimes the world-changing aspirations sound hollow and trite. Part Of Me is a
terrible faux pas; attempting to broach the issue of coming to terms with one's
sexuality, it name-checks political leaders in cringeworthy fashion.
Although there is no obvious JCB follow-up, Make it Happen features some
interesting musical explorations. Understated closing track Lay Down has
surprising depth. Those who were turned off by the commercial success of The JCB
Song may want to give Nizlopi another go.