Mark Ronson, what happened? After much anticipation for his third studio album Record Collection, I am hard-pressed to find just one track I like genuinely off the set - which is odd considering how fantastic his last effort Version was. Perhaps it's the lack of coherency which can occur on an album filled to the brim with "featured" billings or it's the more minimalistic production here, but Record Collection isn't quite what I was expecting.
First single Bang Bang Bang (ft. MNDR and Q-Tip) which ventures back a bit to the ghettos of New York City in the late '80s and second release The Bike Song (ft. Kyle Falconer and Spank Rock) revisits the psychadelic '60s; both have garnered lukewarm response only. Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters)-penned You Gave Me Nothing is a bit like of an homage to Pet Shop Boys and melodically is heads and shoulders above others on the set. It features the vocals Andrew Wyatt and Rose Elinor Dougall of The Pipettes, who surface throughout the album in this teaming of friends at the studio.
Glass Mountain (ft. D'Angelo) is a surprise collaboration which on paper should be really exciting, but amounts in a jarring sequence of synth loops and soulful wailing; a lacklustre experiment. Introducing The Business (ft. Pill and London Gay Men's Choir) could have been a wonderfully fun collaboration, but alas it falls flat in its own introspective moodiness, as does Somebody to Love Me (ft. Boy George and Andrew Wyatt). Title track Record Collection (ft. Simon LeBon of Duran Duran and Wiley) has some semblance of a melody and a hook but alas, is uninspired.
Glass Mountain (ft. D'Angelo) is a surprise collaboration which on paper should be really exciting, but amounts in a jarring sequence of synth loops and soulful wailing; a lacklustre experiment. Introducing The Business (ft. Pill and London Gay Men's Choir) could have been a wonderfully fun collaboration, but alas it falls flat in its own introspective moodiness, as does Somebody to Love Me (ft. Boy George and Andrew Wyatt). Title track Record Collection (ft. Simon LeBon of Duran Duran and Wiley) has some semblance of a melody and a hook but alas, is uninspired.
Mark Ronson & The Business Intl's Record Collection
from Sony Music is now in stores, but unfortunately is a far cry from the standard we all know Ronson is capable of. Where this set falls short is its lack of a clear focus and an over-dependency on marquee names; it is stuck perpetually in one gear. The Celebrity factor succeeded on his last effort Version because there was a unifying thematic thread - his fabulous, full production adorned with fantastic guest vocalists and most importantly, melodies, melodies, melodies. Come back, Mark! Grade: C-
from Sony Music is now in stores, but unfortunately is a far cry from the standard we all know Ronson is capable of. Where this set falls short is its lack of a clear focus and an over-dependency on marquee names; it is stuck perpetually in one gear. The Celebrity factor succeeded on his last effort Version because there was a unifying thematic thread - his fabulous, full production adorned with fantastic guest vocalists and most importantly, melodies, melodies, melodies. Come back, Mark! Grade: C-
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