TRICKY WITH DJ MUGGS AND GREASE
JUXTAPOSE
ALBUM ISLAND RELEASE: AUGUST 23, 1999 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
Tricky has never been very compromising with his music. Since the release
of his brilliant and critically acclaimed debut album "Maxinquaye", the
accessibility of his albums have steadily diminished. Albums like "Nearly
God" and "Pre-Millennium Tension" have both been intensely personal and
loaded with anxiety. Few artists capture the aura of a mental disorder
like Tricky does at his most introvert moments.
"Juxtapose" is without a doubt different from his previous albums. As an
intimate collaboration with two other musicians, DJ Muggs (from Cypress
Hill) and Grease, this perhaps doesn't come as surprise. But initially you
do feel somewhat perplexed. Could this rather melodic mixture of electro,
hip hop, pop, rock and even goth really be the Tricky we've learned to know
through the years? Well, after a couple of tunes you realise that behind
the relatively polished surface the good old Tricky-angst still pulsates.
Though the intensity isn't what it used to be it doesn't stop him from
occasionally producing some brilliant music. This is the case with the
groovy track "Bom Bom Diggy" and the feverish electro of "Hot Like a
Sauna". But the album isn't without it's flaws. You can't disregard from
the fact that "Juxtapose" is a much too splintered (and annoyingly short)
creation - a result from three productive minds instead of one. That's
why Tricky in the future should be left alone behind the wheel.
ERIK ALMGREN