[CD Review] SONICANIMATION – Once More From The Bottom

Its been a few years between disco biscuits for the Australian trance/big beat/techno outfit SonicAnimation, and after a six year hiatus, original members and multi instrumentalists Rupert Keiller and Adrian Cartwright have certainly made the effort to re-solidify themselves to the forefront of the Australian Dance Music Scene.

After releasing five albums between 1997 and 2006 (six if you count the digital download only E.P they did in 2011), playing countless gigs and festivals, including five years on the Big Day Out circuit, and with a plethora of national tours and supports with dance and techno heavyweights and luminaries such as The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim and Underworld, this duo Keiller and Cartwright, whom are split between Canada and Australia, have offered up a smorgasboard of electronic delights that meld dub, house, techno, funk and worldbeats into a seamless platter of dance inspired goodness.

Independently released and distributed thru MGM, the album Once More From The Bottom is a tasty 10 tracks of dance floor tunes. Opening up (surprisingly) with a quirky cover of 80`s rap legend Grandmaster Flash`s, `The Message`, the album gathers in pace with `I Will Be Twisted`, a single that will have DJ`s lining up to do remixes and radio edits. With its killer synth groove lines, thumping bass and catchy chorus, expect to be hearing this sooner than later.

Moving through the album, you get the feeling the lads from Sonic Animation have thrown their all into these songs and take this comeback super seriously. To somewhat refute any lack of confidence buyers may have had in the naming of the album, Once More from the Bottom, I can safely say SonicAnimation are anywhere near it. In fact I’d say they are back on track and heading for those big city lights.

`Take it from Me` is the perfect accompaniment to a 5am Sunday morning, dosed up with way too much vodka, Chambord and ecstasy, `Hey Lady (I just want to dance)’ will be another track that will have DJs frothing and d-floors pumping, with its gaudy boot scootin/honky tonk anthemic undertones. The album for me delivers in most parts, and I can definitely see these guys nailing the club scene and festival circuit again. With a nine date East Coast tour starting in late March that takes in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle, Ballarat, Geelong, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Maroochydore, be sure to get on out and get on it.

Independent
7/10
Reviewer: Adam Barbuto