After a four-year break the musical wizard Ian Parton has finally returned for the fourth outing of his Go Team project. This time around there are new rules: all new vocalists, no song can sound the same and to be less trigger happy with the sampling button. Stripping the band back to its original core member, Parton, who single-handedly created one of the best debut albums of the 00’s with Thunder. Lightning, Strike, has gone back to basics, but will thunder lightning strike twice?!
Do these strict laws effect The Scene Between compared to previous albums? Not really. The double dutch chanting and a distinct lack of rapping (due to long-time contributor Ninja’s dis-involvement) are an obvious departure, but all fans of insane Sesame Street style melodies, mixed with a James Brown break-beat will be beaming that The Go Team have not matured out of recognition. On The Scene Between, Parton has again managed to bridge the gaps between rock, hip-hop and bubble gum pop that will surely brighten up the indie disco’s of the world. From the J-Pop via Brighton delight of the opening track ‘What D’You Say’, the surf-rockin’ ‘Blowtorch‘ or ‘Catch Me On The Rebound’– The Go Team are in the groove, tapping out tighter rhythms than Jay Z or Dre.
So has Parton managed to finally eclipse the genius of Thunder. Lightning, Strike? Not this time. The genre spinning debut packed a few more punches and the Sonic Youth guitars have sadly never featured as heavily since. Previously, and again on The Scene Between, they lack a bit of the edge of the debut and the constant saccharine sweet female vocals can become tiresome. But that a side, this is the best album The Go Team have made in ten years, if only it wasn’t over so damn fast.
