Basement Jaxx Leave Scars

Basement Jaxx's career is nearly legendary. Exploding out of the garage scene around the turn of the century the duo have consistently made dance music for those who fear no genre or sound. They're truly one of the most unique and innovative groups in dance music and it seems as though their goal throughout their career has been to push the envelope. For the most part they've succeeded from and each of their albums has not only been peppered with hits but lauded by critics and fans for their innovation. Their fifth album, Scars, is no different and sees the Jaxx only further solidifying their reputation as one of the most dynamic and refreshing groups in dance music today.

While they are no doubt dynamic and unique, Scarsplays out kind of like a best of Basement Jaxx, in the sense that it revisits many of the themes that made them who they are. While that might seem a bit of a cop out, they not only refresh these themes but update them and throw in a whole new dimension and spin which ends up sounding new and different. Complete with Latin, electro, garage, hip hop, and house influences, Scarsis the sound of a holiday excursion into hedonism and whether that's good or bad is completely up to you. In fact, the Jaxx have come up with a party album that's embedded with personal stories of trials and tribulations shaped by many of the guest stars who appear on the album.

No matter how personal or downtrodden those trials may be, at it's heart Scarsis clearly designed for the dancefloor...a very unique dancefloor. Oddly enough, it seems as though during the recording of this album, Basement Jaxx came to grips at what they're best at and that's always been up front diverse dance music that rules the dancefloor. Whether it's 2-step or 4/4 house, Basement Jaxx add enough twists and turns to make each banger completely unique and different than just about everything else out there. As if to make a point, Scarsfeatures a multitude of vocalists featuring everyone from Sam Sparro, Yo Majesty, and even Yoko Ono. It's these unique voices that lend much of Scarsit's sound and help shape the influences that Basement Jaxx love into absolute corking dancefloor stormers.

From the summer splash of, "Raindrops," to the nearly ska feel of, "Saga," Scars is a neverending bass bin bash that will have you scratching your head as much as moving your feet. The album is a crazy journey of sounds and voices that are as insane as the album artwork. Basement Jaxx are just plain different and that's not a bad thing when you constantly create albums as strong as Scars. There's a reason why Basement Jaxx have survived as long as they have and after one listen to Scars you'll understand why. Exceptionally good stuff.