By Samantha Nwaoshai
When people think of techno music, they just think of the general, loud, thumping synthesized beats. You usually can’t distinguish one techno artist from another. Their music just plays as a background to heavy drinking and drunken dancing. Basement Jaxx is the exception to the stereotype. Their songs have not only set Basement Jaxx apart from other electronic music, it has even broken into the mainstream. You can’t look at a can of Pringles without hearing “Where’s Your Head At?” Nor can you watch an episode of “The Real World” without hearing “Romeo” being played while the roommates are in a club getting trashed. However with their third release Kish Kash, Basement Jaxx proved that they are not just the perfect backdrop to a night of overindulgence, they mix several different kinds of styles and genres to make their own brand of music.
Kish Kash has a host of guest vocalists on the album. Each guest vocalist brings their own flavor to the track that they are on. British rapper and Shortlist nominee Dizzee Rascal appears on the track “Lucky Star,” Me’Shell NdegéOcello is on the tracks “Right Here’s the Spot” and “Feels Like Home,” and former *N’syncer JC Chasez on “Plug It In” are just a few of the notable ones.
The track that you have to listen to is the album opener “Good Luck.” Guest vocalist Lisa Kekaula steels the show. This is the break-up song for someone who isn’t going to be crying in their bed. “Good Luck” is the ultimate kiss-off to that not-so-special someone. It is fast paced, like a vengeful stride away from your ex after that final confrontation. With lyrics like “And I’m glad so glad that I’m done with you / No more crying crying leaving me so black and blue / You backed me up against the wall but I stand tall,” plus Kekaula’s powerful voice we finally found the “I Will Survive” for this generation’s heartbroken souls.
Overall Kish Kash is not your run of the mill techno album. Kish Kash is what happens when all of your music on your iPod condenses into one album, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.