CD Reviews

Basement Jaxx

Crazy Itch Radio | XL

By MATTHEW GASTEIER | October 2, 2006

3.5 Stars

Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe have never been shy about getting your attention. But after three discs of pulsating — if not exploding — dance pop, Basement Jaxx have made their first subtle recording. Don’t get it twisted: all the normal Jaxx sounds are here, from wild choruses and kitchen-sink production to unusual arrangements (banjo in a house track?) and stylized guest vocals. Yet replacing the immediacy of “Romeo,” the five-alarm energy of “Red Alert,” and the all-out assault of “Lucky Star,” Crazy Itch Radio finds a soulful groove with “On the Train” and slow-burns through “When the Lights Go Down.” So the first-listen impact has been lessened, but the growing affection ends up in the same place as always with these masters of the dance floor. After all, by the time you’ve rolled past the breathy closer, “U R on My Mind,” into secret-song, bass-heavy bliss, you’re ready to go somewhere a little quieter, start over at the beginning, and get to know each other a little better.

Topics: CD Reviews , Basement Jaxx, Basement Jaxx, Felix Buxton, More

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