Groove Armada, the unassuming British duo of Tom Findlay and Andy Cato, had substantial success last year with their debut American release, Vertigo — a work hailed by critics, consumers, Madonna and Elton John alike for its refreshingly organic approach to the often clinical electronic genre. (Their first-ever album, 1998's Northern Star, was only available overseas.) Two successful Vertigo singles — the bucolic "At the River" and the uptempo "I See You Baby" — demonstrated an ability to straddle styles, while the duo's touring with a full (nine-piece) band established their performing credentials.
For the potentially daunting task of recording the follow-up, Cato and Findlay, each a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ, shunned the pressure by simply continuing as before: retreating to the British countryside. This time, however, they took their core live band with them — guitarist Keeling Lee, bassist Jonathan White, drummer Andy Treacy and percussionist Patrick Dawes. As a result, Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) reveals more human warmth than earlier releases. Three tracks in particular offer a chilling-by-the-campfire feel unmatched since Air's Moon Safari: the instrumentals "Edge Hill" and "Lazy Moon," with the Urban Soul Orchestra's wistful strings, Lee's laid-back acoustic guitar and White's wandering fretless bass; and "Drifted," with occasional harmonized vocals by Tim Hutton and guitar by Chic's Nile Rodgers.
But as the album title indicates, Groove Armada know their core market is found on the dance floor. Both "Superstylin' " (RealAudio excerpt), featuring male vocalist M.A.D., and the instrumental "Fogma" have Leftfield-like deep dub basslines and uptempo ragga rhythms. "My Friend" (RealAudio excerpt) is a potential crossover hit, a fat trip-hop workout with newcomer Celetia Martin singing a Brandy tune ("Best Friend"). Jeru the Damaja raps (albeit unconvincingly) on the opening "Suntoucher," while folk veteran Richie Havens appears twice, on "Little by Little" and "Healing" (RealAudio excerpt), the latter an especially sensual marriage of classic soul singing and modern, booming beats.
In sharing its predecessor's desire to cover every musical base, Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) suggests a continued identity crisis. But some would see such variety as a virtue, and with this collection of wide-ranging rhythms, high sonic standards and emotional depth, Groove Armada have undeniably delivered every bit the emphatic sequel.
