Rave X album review

Since forming in 2006, Christchurch’s very own, Pig Out have performed a number of shows all around the world. Sydney, LA, New York…they’ve done it all. They have even headlined the Midi Festival on the French Riviera and played a four-hour non-stop set in Berlin…but by far their most intriguing show to date has got to be performing at a rave held in a container ship in the Barcelona Harbor. How amazing do these kids sound? And they’ve managed all this in the space of just four years.

With all the touring and what not, it’s hard to imagine that there would be time to sit down and record, but that’s where you’re wrong, my friends. You might be familiar with a mini album named Club Poems that was released in 2008 – of which received a huge amount of recognition and top ratings from some of our country’s most loved and respected music reviewers. And then there is the team’s latest concoction that goes under the name Rave X.

To be honest with you, I couldn’t pick a better-suited name for such an album, filled with new and sophisticated sounds from the hot act that now reside in Auckland. These guys sure know how to cook up a storm and first track on the album to prove it is appropriately titled Wicked. Top Boy – which you will have already heard on indie stations scattered around the country follows featuring a few vocals, which sound a little on the English side…Sometimes this bugs me, but with this team, not so much.

It’s not until the third track on the disc that you’ll be forced to get off your lazy ass (if you haven’t already) and dance off a few pounds. It’s fast-paced and will give you a clear understanding on the reason why these guys are so popular at all of those fancy clubs. Get your glow sticks out, coz’ this is gonna’ be madness! From here on in, I would strongly advise you to keep your dancing shoes on, because you’ll most likely become one of those ravers covered in fluro paint / singlets and whatever else comes in neon these days.

I’m sweating just imagining what these guys are like live – especially after another strategically titled tune – Genius. Are you loving the names of these songs as much as me right now? This is certainly one to be turned up to maximum volume – with the heavy bass blaring. And, hey – no need to worry about the neighboring houses on this balmy school night…I’m sure if noise control turned up they’d end up joining your house party instead, so just go ahead and enjoy, yeah?

Electronic treat, Anthem is an absolute must to anyone in need of a quick pick me up, coz’ you’ll be back on your feet in no time. Can I suggest this as your early morning workout song of choice? Maybe after that party we were just talking about? Big Mouth is stunningly futuristic and reminds me of times spent playing on my cousin’s bright red Casio keyboard. It is the nineteen eighties, right? What ever it is, and where ever we are, Rave X is def. one to be checked out before you check out…

Amanda Ratcliffe
( www.myspace.com/amanda.ratcliffe )