Groove Armada Album: “Lovebox”

After the incredible 'Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)' the dynamic duo came back with an album that reverberates as funkier in the early stages, much in the same fashion as their counterpart DJ duo Basement Jaxx did with their latest production. However, in spite of the very soulful (perhaps groovy, should I say?) opening of the album, it has to be said that the general trend of the album picks up where their previous production left off. A good example of this are the contagious track #6, "Final Shakedown" and #8, "Hands of Time" were Richie Havens once again lent his beautiful voice to complement the Armada's work. My favorite track, hands down, is the album's closer... Pure Groove Armada.

Though it might come accross as a demanding rating, I 'only' give it four stars, because they sound very much like they did 2-3 years ago, in spite of today's evolving dance scene. There are traces of evolution, however for the most part, they got stuck in a safe place, where they know that the public will continue to love them. But don't dismiss it as a bad album! Far from that: I'd much rather stick with an average Groove Armada album (not that this is the case) than most of the dance music out there, but I know these guys have more to give than a 'Love Box'. For sure I will stay tuned for their next production.

Thrusting bumps, throbbing bass lines that either get the ball rolling or continue where "Hello Nightclub" left off. The usual suspects (Richie Havens) and this time out Neneh Cherry play their signature roles in keeping Groove Armada on the dancefloor and drifting further from the expansive shoreline sounds once sending us off into sundrenched dreams found on "Vertigo." Don't miss out on "Madder" featuring the return of M.A.D. which builds and keeps you up throughout mixing a rap reggae dance rock meld that will be worth repeated listens. This based on initial listen but it is part 2 of "Goodbye country..." Close your eyes, bump and roll and stay with it as it stays with you. 3.5 stars.

I am shocked at the musical range of Groove Armada. They've got not only hip hop and R&B groves on this album, but heavy metal, reggae and disco just to name a few. And they all kick @ss!

Notable tracks include "Easy", "Groove is on" and "Madder."

This is fast becoming my favorite album, so I definitely recommend picking it up.

Some acts keep cranking out the same stuff, album after album. Heck, with GA I'd be content with that, and I'd still buy all of it.

But Groove Armada seems to me to be among the select few that actually evolves over time, and their music evolves with them. Mind you, Love Box is no huge departure--but this is louder, rougher around the edges, and it's absolutely slamming.

Keep it coming!

The latest album from GA has been receiving a lot of mixed reviews, most notably from the UK, their home country. The reviews for "Lovebox" have been their strongest in America, where dance music is usually ignored. I have been a fan of GA since their early days and felt their last album was a masterpiece.

"Lovebox" continues to showcase GA's strive to distance themselves from the "chill-out" moniker, without abandoning the genre totally. The opener "Purple Haze" hits hard with it's guitars and driving bassline, not to mention drug filled lyrics.

"The Groove is on" continues the hip-hop vibe before "Remember" brings the tempo down some. GA staple MC M.A.D. drops some tights rhymes on the rock infused hip-hop of "Madder".

Things slow down again on the genius "Think Twice...", which should certainly be a single. Singles are aplenty on this album in fact. The first US single, "Final Shakedown" takes GA back to the dancefloor with its ragga influenced house beats. I challenge you to not dance to this. "Hands of Time" takes things back to the last album time period, but still works.

The album hits it's climax now with the bombardment of "Tunning In", which has a very Aerosmith-like bassline and the storming "Easy", which with it's driving strings, should also send dancefloor fantics grooving in bliss. A potential single indeed. The title track, "Lovebox" hits hard with it's bass and also shows the boys still riding house train, this one will be a big hit with DJ's like Fatboy and the X-Press 2 boys. Very Skint sounding.

The album concludes with the stoner-reggae chants on "But I Feel Good" with has a SKA/Reggae feel to it, which is not a bad thing. All in all a good album, one that has a lot of styles and diversity. Has something for everyone. Nothing as amazing as "My Friend" but truely picks up where the last album left off