Product Description

Rob Birch and Nick Hallam, better known as the Stereo MCs, release their fifth studio album this summer, marking the next chapter in what has been an incredible story. Released on their own label Graffiti Recordings, the opportunity to return to their roots is clearly having a cathartic effect on the band. With an unbridled optimism once more proliferating their music, the album title speaks volumes for the band’s rejuvenated mindset as they approached the recording of Paradise.

Track Listing

1. Warhead
2. Set It Off
3. First Love
4. Sun
5. The Fear
6. Don�t Know
7. Float On
8. Paradise
9. Prime Time
10. I Feel You
11. Breathe Out
12. Out Of Control

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67940 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-22
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
That Paradise only lands a mere four years after its predecessor, 2001’s Deep Down And Dirty, suggests Stereo MCs have fire in their bellies once more (sure, it might seem like a long time, but the staggering eight years that separated that album with the MCs’ classic 1992 album Connected says these Brit-hop progenitors can’t and won’t be rushed). The title, naturally, is ironic: Paradise sounds like anything but. Shuffling along at a stoned zombie gait, these tracks are powered by weed narcosis and New World Order paranoia: see the dystopic, siren-heralded "Warhead", rapper Rob B visualising "Vigilantes and the Stars and Stripes/Crack pipes burning in the morning light" over an edgy, compelling funk-hop backdrop.

That’s not to say, however, that musically speaking, this is a bum trip: "The Fear" is a beautifully chill torch-song brushed with melancholy strings and Spanish guitar, while "I Feel You" simmers with the sort of dub-tinged electronic sounds that Massive Attack once made their own. Meanwhile, the helium-high vocal hook of "First Love" – Rob’s vocal pitched to +8 - suggests even the first men of British hip-hop can pick up tricks from new-school heads like Kanye. That we can say that twenty years on from the Stereo MC’s inception is quite an achievement. --Louis Pattison

CD Description
Fifth studio album from British electro-hip hop pioneers the Stereo MC's. Not for the first time, their sound on this album will have a crossover appeal, with elements of hip hop,rock and dance beats. This is the debut release on the Graffiti Recordings imprint. The single 'Set It Off' is included.

Customer Reviews

More than a return to form
I think the Amazon reviewer must have been listening to a different album - this has a more upbeat feel than any of their other releases - it has a more funky/soulful feel than before but rather than watering down the essential stereos sound it complements it - the rob birch vocal still under control. An excellent album that hasn't been off my stereo for a while now. I bought "Deep Down" with high expectations and desperately wanted to like it - and while it was good it just sounded a bit half finished (which after an 8-odd year gap makes you wonder...) This album is what they should have come out with - buy it, simple.

great album, providing you liked the others
by now you should know what to expect from the Stereo Mc's, they haven't massively evolved their sound since the breakthru Connected album, and why should they, it was years ahead of its time ?

your view on this will largely then depend on what you thought of their previous output, though it should be said their are more coherent 'proper songs' on this than the slightly disappointing last release, Deep Down & Dirty.

wouldn't say 'a return to form' as they've never really lapsed, good to have them back though

paradise
Having listened to this for the first time today. I just want to say - another first class album from the Stereo mcs. -Excellent!!!