Published on Jul 28, 1999
Not saying this band couldn’t make it on their own, but Luscious
Jackson have certainly had their share of breaks in their career.
Starting off by impressing the Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson were
signed to Grand Royal Records.
After making pals with the Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson was
able to hook up with Daniel Lanois (producer of some of U2’s best
stuff amongst other credits). Now, on their third full length
album,
Electric Honey, the band snabbed one of the best mixers in
the business, Andy Wallace. Wallace has helped put accessible
touches on albums by such at first inaccessable bands like Slayer
and Nirvana.
To boot, the band has had great luck getting great guest
vocalists for their albums. Their last album featured Emmylou
Harris, an odd choice for the band, but it definitely worked. This
venture out, the band snagged a vocalist more accustomed to their
own style: Deborah Harry.
With all this going for Luscious Jackson, it would be easy to
write the band off a novelty band who has had every luxury handed
to them. Think again. Though the band may have achieved some studio
slack, right now, they’re running away with the “act that will take
you most by surprise” at this year’s Lilith Fair tour.
Though Vivian Trimble, a band member since 1992, departed ways
with the band when
Electric Honey was recorded, there appears to be very
little, if any dissonance with the band on
Electric Honey. While
Fever In Fever Out took some experimental sidesteps,
Electric Honey doesn’t waste a beat in trying to make you
shake your rump.
Like their previous two albums, their newest one opens up with
the most radio-friendly song in the bunch. “Nervous Breakthrough”
is a perfect summer song. Starting off with a bouncy, deep club
bass beat, the song draws you into Jill Cunniff’s airy, yet strong
voice. The song even incorporates a nifty little rap midway
through.
Other songs are just as appealing. The funky, ’70sish “Sexy
Hypnotist” and the quarky “Alien Lover” make it evident that
Luscious Jackson aims to take this album to the dance floor as well
as your car stereo.
Unfortunately,
Electric Honey has the tendency to peter off towards the
end. While it’s an improvement over “Fever In” (that one lost steam
midway through the album),
Electric Honey almost gets the job done, but the last three
or four songs are slightly forgettable.
Still, for a summer album,
Electric Honey looks like it’s ready to do to boom boxes
what
Hello Nasty did last year. Which is good for those fans out
there still hoping for a revival in alternative music. While all of
your bandwagon jumping fans may be grooving out to the sounds of
98° and Ricky Martin,
Electric Honey proves that there’re still bands out there
who make feel good music without making you feel like you need a
cavity filled.