Don't You Remember the Future

Chronique

Any album that starts off with a distorted voice talking about future societies, rebellion through music, and general sci-fi scenarios has something going for it -- even more so if it's a dance album rather than yet another band whose members think that music began with the one bong-stained copy of 2112 they found in an uncle's attic. Jamie Jones isn't completely out to explore the spirit of 1978-or-so on his debut album, but Don't You Remember the Future is definitely out to try reclaiming a certain sort of space and aesthetic, a sci-fi dancefloor. To that end, songs like "Deep in the Ghetto" and "Belter" are out to feel like a more polite, more modern version of some of Cerrone's groundbreaking work in particular, sweeping-into-the-stars disco exchanging alien exaltation for a calmer but still jittery energy. It's all to a rather curious end, though, feeling in its neither-fish-nor-fowl way like a slightly astringent exercise, not to mention seriously dragging in the middle with a series of tracks that aim to energize but mostly kick along with no special spark. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the strongest numbers come courtesy of the collaborations, with Ost & Kjex taking an early bow on "Summertime," a number that honestly -- and quite enjoyably -- feels like Prince futzing around with dubstep. Alison Mars' turn on "Absolute Zero" is pleasant, but the mindbender is the appearance of the Egyptian Lover on "Galactic Space Bar." If the song's a crisp enough electro stomper with murky echo undercurrents, hearing the legendary '80s vocalist bust out a steady but strong performance is a nice twist.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo