Fun Lovin' Criminals - Livin' in the City

2005 album features 11 tracks including 'How It Be', 'The Preacher', 'City Boy' and the first single 'Mi Corazon'. 11 total tracks. The album incorporates a variety of instruments and musical styles - hip-hop beats & rhymes, jazz & latin rhythms, mellow g Album Description

Another Gem from Huey & The Boys !!!!!

How can it be that F.L.C. Aren't huge in the U.S??? Why is it that this is not on the radio???? I dont get it....(These guys are so horribly underated).. I Think This CD is possibly there best.....Do yourself a favor and pick it up...I havent stopped listening to it since I got it...A true masterpiece....Keep em' coming F.L.C. February 4, 2006

Crims re-offend!

Huey and Fast, recidivists to the end, have committed another series of high quality crimes, possibly as seriously good as the multiple felonies they committed on "100% Columbian".

I'm usually surprised by the quality of the Crim's studio albums. This is no exception. "Livin' in the City" is undoubtedly the continuation of a formula, but if it works and it doesn't sound tired, why not stick with it?

I wonder if FLC's lack of success in the US is down to the pantomine aspects of Huey's persona and song-writing? Perhaps the British - still big FLC fans - appreciate the cheerful irony a little better than our American cousins.

Maybe this album will be good for them, as there is less of the gangster goofing and more of Huey and Fast doing what they do supremely well - music. These guys are sorely under-rated musicians. The arrangements on this CD are slick and smooth and wonderfully musical. Yes, they are musical magpies and wear their musical influences and likes and loves very openly, but they do it so well. Try counting the genre references, the stylistic fills and frills and the retro-rhythmn thing. Not easy.

As for the songs, there's lots of good stuff.

The title track is a riotous football (that's 'soccer' to you lot) chant of a song, a bellow-along special that will open or close shows for years to come. "That ain't right" is pure Huey, hinting at reggae with one of his trademark rap-along choruses.

"The Preacher" is riff heaven, keyboards underpinning a great piano riff, decorated with subtle and punchy horns and another shout along chorus. For good measure, Huey gets to chuck in a nice guitar break as well. There's a kitchen sink in there somewhere ...

There are a couple of tracks that could be classed as filler, and the not unfamiliar pseudo-heavy metal track creeps in as an unwelcome visitor. Overall however, this is one of FLC's best showings.

All they need now is a decent sound system so their great live shows don't end up lost in muddy murk of muffled vocals and over-pumped bass. Tour manager please take note.

December 5, 2005

The Criminals are still strong

I am a metal/classic rock/progressive/jazz fan mostly. But since their debut album, Fun Lovin' Criminals had me hooked. I normally dont subcribe to the wrap/hip hop scene. But the Criminals take the rap and blend it with so many other styles, that you cant help but admire them for their unqiue approach and execution.

Why they haven't gotten commerical airplay in the states is not really a mystery. Every station sticks with the genre, and will play their 25 song rotation ad naseum throughout the day. Because the Criminals blend rap and rock, or wrap and reggaie, etc etc- they defy the conventional defenitions and therefore are "unsuitable" to play on the air because they dont fit into a particular genre.

Its a shame because their musicianship keeps improving, their songs are solid and I love playing their stuff in the car with the volume up. Their latest release doesn't dissapoint as I have been playing it quite often. December 5, 2005

Another winner...

I still don't quite know what it is that keeps these boys from having more success in the USA. Maybe it is the difficulty in pigeonholing them into any one definable style - one of the things I like most about them. Whatever the reasons, their success in other markets is well deserved.

Livin' In The City is another fine album and stands up with their best. Don't take my word for it - just buy it up and see for yourself. I did... :o) December 3, 2005

Better than their debut !!!

FLC is one of the very few bands where I don't "review" their new albums thru a download. I know I get good rock, rap, blues, jazz cross-over tunes to digest. However I think that they were never able to top their debut album "Come find yourself". Their first album is (still) awesome. I only need to refer to the reviews on this website. The albums that followed were all good, but did never raise the same excitement. This has now changed, for their is now the fantastic "Livin' in the City".

The 11 songs on the album are a balanced mix of uptempo rock/rap and ballads/blues. Some highlights: The album kicks of with "I love living in the city". Again Huey and Fast don't hide their love for NYC. This doesn't get old though. The rocking opening song somehow feels as if the guys convincingly try to tell 9/11 has been and it's time to return to the love for the city and move on. "That ain't right" moves your hips to the end. "The Preacher" is angry and let's you feel it. "Ballad of NYC" is built on the recognizable sample of "Theme from Love Story (Where Do I begin)". It takes you at the throat, telling the love story between a man and his city. "Gave up on God" is another excellent downtempo song that is in a way not a common FLC song as the message is so serious. "City Boy" gets you tripping. "Mi Corazon" is the first single from the album for a reason. And so on... (I don't want to get this review too lengthy...you see what my point is)

In short, this album is very good. Better than their debut. Somehow these tunes don't really fly in the US, as this album is only import to the US market. Stopping wasting time and get this album. You won't regret it. September 17, 2005

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