Layo & Bushwacka! - 'Night Works' (XL)
3/5
By: Thomas Hannan
XL Recordings, a label with one of the most diverse rosters in modern times (Badly Drawn Boy and The Prodigy, anyone?) are calling this '2002's most anticipated dance-floor album', pretty certain that it can capitalise on the success of their last effort, 1998's highly-acclaimed 'Low Life'. This is encouraging praise from anyone, but from a label that has recently been rumoured to pay in the region of a seven-figure sum to sign Detroit's White Stripes, it's a hint that they may well be willing to give Layo & Bushwacka! the financial backing that would see them make the jump from credible underground stalwarts to chart-worrying hit-makers.
As it happens, such a leap into a busier market just might require extensive financial backing, because - although the music on this LP bears similarities to that found on more popular releases such as 'Leftism' and 'Dig Your Own Hole' - it arguably has less potential for mainstream crossover. Indeed, initially, there seem to be few tracks that could make singles, mainly because of the album's eerie nature, thus not terrifically suited to daytime radio - although fantastic penultimate track, 'Love Story', is probably the most accessible - just a shame that such a gem is buried at the end of the work.
But, on the other hand, it's quite possible that singles aren't what's on the duo's mind at all. There is, instead, amongst these tracks, an apparent urge for the combo to stay true to their underground roots - as reflected in their DJing-schedule, where the twosome choose to return monthly to their own personal club, 'The End' to perform sets to a hardcore elite of dedicated fans; naturally, coming up with some blatant catchy riffs and infectious vocals for a mere hit single may seem a bit too much like giving in to 'the man' for the almighty buck.
Despite being firmly rooted in underground electronica, the part classically-trained duo possess an obvious musical nous which separates their dark explorations from the rest of the field. Although there is the standard sampling and reliance on electronically-produced sound, there's also a wide range of traditional, some might say 'proper' instruments on-show, and the way that Layo & Bushwacka! layer the different elements into a deep sound-collage of moody beats and breaks demonstrates a musicality that would impress musicians from all sectors of the spectrum. (There are even skewed takes on delta-blues and the odd sign of lounge-jazz leanings, especially on 'Blind Tiger', for instance.)
It's also true that you won't get into too many fights going 'round and saying that this isn't the most uplifting music ever. Even though certain tracks have been christened with the bright inferences of 'Shining Through' and 'Let The Good Times Roll', the overall ambience here is one of murky intrigue rather than deliriously losing yourself.
Thus, 'Night Works' is a very apt title all round. There are down sides here - occasionally the pair repeat their tricks one too many times - and there are moments where six-minute instrumentals scream out for a hook or a vocal part, and the name, meanwhile - granted - is completely ridiculous. Seemingly, though, Layo & Bushwacka! are comfortable with their position, not so much ambitious as they are content with their high degree of competence.
Hardly essential, and unlikely to rock a large number of people's lives, but 'Night Works' still effectively does what's necessary to interest and entertain music-fans of enough genres to justify its existence.
Artists in this article: Layo & Bushwacka!
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