I've been meaning for ages to give a proper review of The Shape Of Things but can't seem to get round to it, so just a few observations.
I found this a frustrating album at times, as so many of the songs sound like works in progress that, given time and more varied productions, could be true Foxx classics, but as they stand sound like half-finished demos. Take "Falling Away" for example - an ominous and frazzled verse full of menace and intrigue builds to a point where you're waiting for a big memorable chorus but all you get is John repeating the song title over the same backing as on the verse. (regular readers of my posts may have spotted this is a repeated criticism I have of John's post-1995 songs!).
The short linking instrumental pieces don't do a lot for me either - they just sound like two blokes switching on their analogue synths and noodling around with the first sound they find (which I suppose is what they are!)
That said, it's clear that John and Benge are having a whale of a time in the studio and it's great that John is more prolific than ever at an age when most artists are either retiring or repeating themselves, but on the whole I'd give the album 6 out of 10.
Last edited by Herbert the turbot; 04/26/12 08:35 AM.
