Review: Fun Lovin Criminals - Welcome To Poppy's *ADVANCE* (2003)

Fun_Lovin_Criminals-Welcome_to_Poppys-ADVANCE-2003-ESC

WOW! This one was unexpected! Due for release on September 8th 2003, this is the NEW album from FLC. "New?" i hear you say; yes, NEW, i was as surprised as you when i saw this one emerge.

This album marks the return of a very fine band who left us suddenly after poor sales of their last album left them dropped sans record label. Leave it to Sanctuary Records to step in and pick the guys up after a long break. And it looks like the break did them a lot of good as it shows in this album that before the band went off the rails they used to be a great band. This is a return to their old sound and my god, this album is a corker!

The first track, Too Hot is a nice, laid back track with a typical summer vibe that sounds like their recent stuff from Mimosa but thankfully sounds completely great. The album progresses with a chunky powerchord laden handful of rock tracks before track 4 where the album drops a gear and we're given a somewhat average slow number. I didn't think this track was very fitting with what had come before, or indeed what was to come after it. So minus a point there.

Thankfully after that minor stumble, the album gets back on course with some fantastic blues and rock driven numbers with the FLC guitar solo's of old and Huey's distinct, laid back vocals. Unfortunately, besides Too Hot and Baby (Party Dress) there aren't many standout tracks on this album unlike on (what i consider) their finest album 100% Colombian with tracks like Up On The Hill, Love Unlimited and the awesome Korean Bodega. Maybe that opinion will change though as i've only heard it through once. I also love the lyrics on this album, there's Huey's usual jokes about life, women and well...women. But also it feels a much more personal album detailing (what i presum is) the band's success and failure and issues with drugs and relationships. Clever stuff and very thoughtful lyrics.

Welcome To Poppy's is a superb return to form, with only a couple of weak tracks, and maybe at 16 tracks it's a tiny bit too long (well, track 16 is an untitled bonus track). But overall, this is awesome, you must get this album. You won't regret it! On a final note, the FLC's have 3 albums due in 2003 and a further 2 in 2004. Not much info is available on them yet but well, it's cool news isn't it?

Welcome back boys.

FINAL SCORE: 8/10

Dirname: Fun_Lovin_Criminals-Welcome_to_Poppys-ADVANCE-2003-ESC

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