Arno Carstens
The Hello Goodbye Boys
Arno Carstens’s first solo album was excellent. It’s not as if anyone doubted whether the charismatic Springbok Nude Girls frontman would do well by himself, but Another Universe still earned him a heady dose of clout on the local music scene.
Now comes The Hello Goodbye Boys (Sony BMG), and word is that this is the album that is supposed to take the gospel of Arno to foreign shores, with impressive distribution deals and a rather stylish cover photograph (similar promises went unfulfilled about the Nude Girls some years ago, of course).
It’s doubtlessly a well-crafted sequel to Another Universe. The music is finely composed, a team effort by Carstens’s New Porn, with especially Brendan Jury’s strings shining through in several places. It’s sensitive, philosophical, even spiritual, right from the start: ”Come carry me from loneliness,” pleads the smooth but serious ballad Feel It, which opens the album; We Are Satellites reads like biblical wisdom; Count to 10 charms with innocence.
Hit single Hole Heart is possibly the simplest song here, lyrically; its affable melody carries it well, hence its success. Bad City, Kite and especially Birds and the Bees are much livelier, and maybe the closest the album comes to Carstens’s raunchier rock roots. The Man and the Lion has a folky wholesomeness; the title track soars on a guitar base and would sound grand live. Hope I See You Soon‘s wistful, uncomplicated guitar melody leads into a hidden (yawn) piece of instrumental chill-out to close the album.
So, each track has unique appeal. The musicians in support are highly skilled (apart from Jury, there’s Albert Frost, Concord Nkabinde and Barry van Zyl). Carstens sounds as good as ever. But will it win over other countries? The title track from Another Universe with its distinct beauty would have done a better job. The work on The Hello Goodbye Boys, while truly enjoyable, may just be too laid-back, too staid even, to lead to a breakthrough. Only time will tell. In the meantime, it’s a treat for all South Africans (except those who still want to hear Carstens rock all the way).
ALSO ON THE SHELF
Craig de Sousa and Dino Moran
The Nightwatchmen (David Gresham)
Planning a seriously sexy party this summer? Something with sushi and champagne, with fashionably dressed and good-looking people lounging by the pool, and possibly a hip celebrity or two? This is the double-CD soundtrack you need, inspired by Craig de Sousa and Dino Moran’s weekend shows on Good Hope FM. First slip in De Sousa’s album to warm up to sexy, slinky deeper beats by the likes of Roger D’Lux and Troydon. Then, clear the floor for Dino Moran’s sublime and funky house, with irresistible rhythms and intensely danceable grooves. It’s a double whammy of note. — Riaan Wolmarans
Various
Koula’s Campus Classics (David Gresham)
A very agreeable selection of happy-go-lucky rock tunes spanning several years, from Placebo’s Pure Morning and Feeder’s wonderful Buck Rogers to Airship Orange, Fokofpolisiekar and The Parlotones. Wednesday 13’s I Walked with a Zombie is charmingly weird. It’s all good, really, except for Gary Jules’s tedious cover of Mad World right at the end. Just stop the CD after Pennywise, and you’ll miss it. — RW
The Pussycat Dolls
PCD (Universal)
Don’t Cha has become the sexy hit of this summer, and already suffers with serious radio overplay. It’s got a hot-chick video to match its hot-chick attitude, and more of this frivolous female funkiness on PCD would have been amusing. Alas. Despite the trendy guest stars (Busta Rhymes on Don’t Cha, as well as Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, and Timbaland), this is a no-go area of tepid dance beats, covers and samples — even the classic Tainted Love gets pulled into the quagmire. Don’t cha wish they would just shut up? — RW
Various
The Right Stuff Version 3.0 (David Gresham)
Twenty-two tracks of rather commercial dance beats that’s certainly the right stuff for a rather commercial dance party. It’s fun, and of better quality than other similar albums out now (hey, it even has Les Rhythmes Digitales), but it won’t stay in your CD player for long. — RW