When five unknown brothas from Compton began rapping together back in '86, who would've guessed that they would be leaders of a revolution. It is no news that Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, DJ Yella and founder Eazy E - under the collective title Niggaz With Attitude - sparked the rise of gangsta (and, later, hardcore) rap music, and raised West Coast hip-hop to a level of prominence once enjoyed only by the East Coast.
Of course the NWA era is long over. Dre and Cube have been solo forever, E is dead and Ren and Yella (who have both released solo projects) have gone nowhere trying to make it on their own. Nevertheless, the importance of the once-almighty NWA to modern-day rap can never be overstated.
Thus the birthing of an "NWA Greatest Hits" should come as no surprise. Featuring such memorable songs as "Straight Outta Compton," "Real Niggaz Don't Die" and "Alwayz into Something," this CD recreates the imagery of controversy and scandal which surrounded NWA.
NWA was constantly demonized by everyone from the media to politicians to the police for its roughneck attitude and honest portrayal of America's treatment of poor African Americans in Compton (and nationwide).
But nothing compared to the whirlwind of love, animosity, support and anger hurtled at them after the release of hit single "Fuck Tha Police" in '91. This song - the cornerstone of NWA's explicitly controversial nature - is no less the cornerstone of this album.
NWA's power was in members' ability to put into words the unspoken hurt, anger and rage many African Americans felt then and now. While group members were constantly labeled as ignorant and disrespectful, the truth stands that NWA did what few were able or willing to. They spoke of a harsh reality in America's underside that many would prefer to pretend is nonexistent, and they demanded accountability from those (e.g. politicians and police) who - quite opposite to their promise to work for a better society for ALL Americans - were often a major factor in keeping down many black communities.
- Eugene Bowen
Though it remains to be seen whether the Cardigans will be the first musically inclined group of lunar explorers, they are without question among the first and best bands from Sweden in recent memory. On their American major-label debut, the Cardigans hone their pop confections to perfection, and throw in a little weirdness for good measure.
From start to finish, "First Band on the Moon" takes a light, airy, innovative approach to music. The band sets '50s and '60s pop melodies to disco and trip-hop beats for a glossy, glamorous sound that compares favorably with Pizzicato 5 and Blondie's disco days.
Each song is like a short film starring Nina Persson's alluring voice as the jilted, jaded lover ("Your New Cuckoo," "Been It"), the sex kitten ("Happy Meal II") and the hopelessly devoted fool for love ("Step on Me," "Lovefool," "Great Divide"). In each one, she's perfectly cast, mixing just the right amount of sex appeal with innocence. Persson is also backed up by a terrific supporting cast, her fellow Cardigans.
Their musical hybrid of pop, game show themes, disco and Disney ballads is the perfect foil to Persson's coy vocals. Though the band's sound is focused by their pop sensibilities, that includes classic-sounding songs like "Step on Me" and "Great Divide" as well as eclectic tunes like the trip-hop influenced "Heartbreaker" and "Iron Man," a jazzy cover of the Black Sabbath rocker that features this year's must-have musical accessory, the Moog synthesizer.
The Cardigans balance skillfully on the edge between clever and cutesy; they're straight enough for your mom to like them and hip enough to be on the trendsetters' turntables. They're the first band you should think of when it comes to fun, fresh, sophisticated music.
- Heather Phares