Album Review: Big Charlie - 'Too Little Too Late'
Italy’s premiere new-wave disco duo Big Charlie will release their new album, Too Little Too Late, in just a couple of days. The release is packed with danceable beats and interesting textures, incorporating unique arrangements and vocal style into their techno-influenced tracks. The album’s second track “The Sun” is particularly mesmerizing with it’s circuital arrangement and synthesized hooks.
The song features the band’s impressive ability to use layered vocals in an exciting way. While many tracks that feature “gang vocals” sound overwhelmed or bloated, Big Charlie’s vocal layering fits the music perfectly and does divert focus from the beat heavy backing tracks that make up the bulk of their songs.
The album’s single “Here Comes the Mobster” contains a slinky piano hook and a laid back beat. It slowly churns, but manages to keep up the energy of the album and build Too Little Too Late’s momentum as an album. The song’s vocal hook is infectious, and a listener can’t help but want to join in with the chorus of voices singing, “Here comes the mobster.”
The album’s final track, “Wait til the End” is another slow burner, but holds a completely different tone. If the bulk of the album would see audiences getting sweaty at the club, this track more resembles the last dance at prom. This is in no way an insult: “Wait til the End” is one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album. The raw emotion captured in the song marks one of the most touching moments on of the album. Near the end of the song, the band picks up and closes strong, showing Big Charlie’s versatility as an artist, and the versatility of Too Little Too Late as a cohesive record.
Check out Big Charlie at these web addresses:
http://www.facebook.com/bigcharliemusic
http://twitter.com/#!/bigcharliemusic
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/bigcharlie
