Pros: Mostly entertaining, very diverse, expected...
Cons: It is a bit too diverse sometimes not to mention a bit too unpredictable.
The Bottom Line: This album has outstanding vocals, arrangements, and instrumentation but it still is not perfect. I wish Handcream for a Generation would have been more focused.
lambchops's Full Review: Handcream For a Generation by Cornershop
In most parts of America and for that matter the world, Cornershop produced just one hit. Aside from that they are largely ignored and vastly under appreciated. While being categorized as an alternative rock/pop outfit, the truth is that the band actually is diverse in every sense of the word. When I Was Born for the 7th Time is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Cornershop formed in London, England in 1992. Led by talented singer/songwriter and musician Tjinder Singh the band's lineup has changed in a variety of ways over the years. Singh is the only remaining founding member and his playful, intelligent style of music is the reason why they have attained their modest level of fame. The combination of English and Punjabi lyrics is definitely unusual but surprisingly effective as evidenced across the band's four full length albums and numerous singles and EPs.
After a few years in existence, Cornershop "hit it big" when they were signed to David Byrne's adventurous label Luaka Bop. Their first album, Hold on it Hurts, was released on another label in 1995 was not as well received as their breakthrough from later in the year. Woman's Gotta Have It struck a chord with the unique, accessible style that has been referred to as Hindi-pop. This is not world music--rather it is obviously pop with a distinct flair unlike anything else prior or since. The song 6 A.M. Jullander Shere is of particular note though the whole album borders on masterpiece. I, along with the rest of the world, first heard Cornershop in 1997 with their third release When I Was Born for the 7th Time. Amazing watershed single Brimful of Asha was incredibly popular, though what is particularly surprising is the album's consistently excellent quality. Songs like Sleep on the Left Side, Funky Days Are Back Again, and Good To Be On The Road Back Home Again are also impressive.
In 2002, Cornershop returned with their Handcream for a Generation, this time on the V2 label. While overall not as impressive as When I Was Born for the 7th Time it still makes my heart happy. Without even speaking in depth about this CD, I will advise anybody who liked any of the band's other releases to immediately pick this one up. There's no reason to read any further. Cornershop's reputation should proceed them.
The actual songs are definitely reflective of Noel Gallagher's involvement and his friendship with Singh. I actually like the fact that he appears every now and then--his guitar work is welcome and adds some texture to Cornershop's sound. I do however have one complaint not specifically related to one artist or the other. I am not (NOT) a fan of long, solo-laden songs that seem to exist for no other reason than to show off. Spectral Mornings is a terribly long and painfully overwrought example of what doesn't work on a pop or rock album in my mind.
Fortunately the positive aspects outweigh the negative. The first real song is Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform. The Heavy Soup tracks function as nothing more than an intro and outro. This particular song is groovy, fun, and immediately entertaining. At the center of the song is Singh's voice and a very noticeable (and outstanding) guitar. I am drawn to the chorus which features a children's choir singing the title. While I don't always enjoy that kind of thing, I like it in the context of Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform. One might think that Cornershop has gone the way of the usual indie pop/rock bands with that song, but clearly they have not. Music Plus 1 stands out because of the dance/electronica arrangement. Each track adds a little texture to the overall picture.
Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III is another guitar heavy song, but this time the swagger leans toward blues-rock rather than pop. It works nicely and is among the most notable selections. Wogs Will Walk is also unexpectedly funky complete with synthesized flourishes, a beat-heavy sound and generally appealing (but surprisingly sparse) arrangement. In my humblest of opinions, it is the best song of Handcream for a Generation. I also am really, really fond of People Power, The London Radar, and Slip the Drummer One. Everything in between also makes me happy on some level, but the biggest thing that needs to be related about this album is that it is incredibly diverse and jumps around from 70's R&B to reggae to blues rock to electronica and everything imaginable in between.
I do prefer When I Was Born for the 7th Time because it feels a bit less constructed. Singh clearly wanted to do something different on this release. He accomplished that goal, but I am afraid he did so at the expense of fans who really enjoyed the sound of that hit album. I don't expect artists to tread water but I do like them to build upon sounds they have previously almost perfected. I wish this album linked more to previous works, but it does manage to stand on its own merits.
Aside from a little over confidence and excessive experimentation, Handcream for a Generation is a joyful and entertaining affair. While it is imperfect I still find myself popping the 2002 release into the stereo every now and then for my fix of Cornershop.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars (rounded up)
Track Listing:
01. Heavy Soup
02. Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform
03. Music Plus 1
04. Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III
05. Wogs Will Walk
06. Motion the 11
07. People Power
08. Sounds Super Recordings
09. The London Radar
10. Spectral Mornings
11. Slip the Drummer One
12. Heavy Soup (Outro)
13. untitled
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