CD review: Tongue N' Cheek - Dizzee Rascal

CHANGE OF PACE: Dizzee Rascal's new album embraces dance music and is full of party-starting pop music.

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Go Bonkers. Get Freaky Freaky. Start some Bad Behaviour. And - of course - Dance Wiv Me. If the song titles on Dizzee Rascal's new album are anything to go by, the British rapper is in a mood to get this party started.

As those songs suggest, the man known as Dylan Mills to his mum has lost a lot of the gangster attitude and hardened hip-hop edge that was all over his first album, the Mercury Music Prize-winning 2003 release Boy In Da Corner.

Instead, Dizzee spends most of Tongue N' Cheek embracing keyboards, synths, house music and other dance pop cliches that will have fans of 2007's grimy album Maths + English, and singles Sirens and Pussy'ole (Old School), running from the dancefloor.

For everyone else, it's a bit of a mixed bag. You've already heard insanely catchy singles Dance Wiv Me and Bonkers, chart-topping collaborations with respected house DJs Armand Van Helden and Calvin Harris with hooks so big you're probably still trying to get them out of your head.

Dizzee's cheeky sense of humour is still his best asset, and it shines through on tracks like the silky smooth reggae of Can't Tek No More, the hyped-up filth of Bad Behaviour, and slow jam Freaky Freaky, which finds the rapper declaring: "My love life looks like Flavour Flav, I've got girls for days."

But Dizzee doesn't sound totally comfortable with his new formula, especially when he takes it to extremes. Holiday is a cheesy hands-in-the-air rave throwaway, while Money, Money is an acquired taste with its '80s-inspired horns and dated female vocals.

Meanwhile, mid-album ballad Chillin' Wiv Da Man Dem is probably best avoided, and you'll only last about minute into Dirtee Cash before you start getting annoyed by the song's jarring beats and repetitive chorus.

Still, anyone who saw Dizzee's sweat-drenched performances at the Big Day Out in 2008, and at The Powerstation later that year, knows the rapper has one ambition in life, and that's to make crowds sweat.

Even with his tongue stuck firmly in his cheek, the little Rascal will have no problem continuing that tradition at the Big Day Out 2010.

* What do you think of Tongue N' Cheek? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Oldest First

Anthony   #7   02:15 pm Dec 07 2009

Great songs. Great album. if you dont like him why did you just read about him?

chris   #6   01:59 pm Oct 16 2009

I'm a big fan of the early material, but I cannot deny how catchy 'dance wiv me' is; brilliant tune.

Dr John A. Zoidberg   #5   06:55 pm Oct 09 2009

Great album. I enjoyed it very much. You guys are just haters

kb   #4   01:13 pm Oct 07 2009

Agreed Toby - he'd do much better over jungle or dnb. Bonkers is rubbish.

guy   #3   04:53 pm Oct 06 2009

Bonkers is horrible x 2

toby   #2   04:00 pm Oct 06 2009

" respected house DJs Armand Van Helden and Calvin Harris "

I beg to differ. Respected by who? Their record labels? Armand Van Helden hasn't done a good tune since 99! Bonkers is effing horrible. I throw icecubes at the DJ if I hear it in the club.

Get some DNB up ya!

James   #1   03:12 pm Oct 06 2009

Not hes best some ok bits and you can hear him sliping back into grime, but way to poppy for me.