October 09, 2002

Fontanelle "Style Drift"

In the future, I'm pretty sure that robots and computers will have feelings. I think that some bright spark is currently working on some sort of chip or device or program that will give mechanical beings real human emotion. Why not? It certainly seems possible. Hell, Man...Or Astroman? had some pretty convincing human emotions. It's a shame they went back before we mere humans could learn more about their technological advances.

Style Drift is a robotic funk record. Yeah, that sounds like a totally laughable description to me, and I'm the guy writing the review! I mean, really, how can you not think of anything but when you hear the Beastie Boys-esque "Style Drift," which sounds like something off of Hello Nasty--except done a bit more sleazy and with a little more Steve Miller Band influence. Other times, such as "Monday Morning," Fontanelle veers into acid-jazz, Medeski, Martin and Wood territory, with a little hint of Drums and Tuba for good measure.

I don't know if they intended on doing so, but Fontanelle has created a futuristic porn soundtrack that could have only been created by a computer that understands and feels real human emotion. I don't mean that in any flip, hip music writer kind of way--I really did blush when listening to the downright randy "Just, Go, Crazy," with its naughty robotic bleeps and blips and squeaks. If you've ever wondered about what robots put on when they're gettin' it on, then Style Drift is for you. As for me, I'm waiting for a robotic Marvin Gaye or Barry White. If Fontanelle can do that next--which i wouldn't put past them, as their styles are ever-changing--then I'm sure they've got a surefire hit on their hands. As it stands, Style Drift is a lusty, sexy computerized jazz-funk record for those moments when just want to get your 01011110001001 010001 001111000110110 on.

--Joseph Kyle

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