This French dance two-piece cut their teeth producing MC Solar back in the early 90s, and ’15 Again’ is their third studio album after their acclaimed debut ‘1999’ and the less well received follow up ‘Au Reve’. It would be sensible to suggest that their moment has passed after riding the crest of the wave of French house at the end of the 90s with the likes of ‘Air’ and ‘Daft Punk’, but '15 again' proves otherwise.
Collaboration with the likes of Pharrell Williams on ‘Eye Water’ brings Cassius bang up to date with modern production sounds, and the superb single ‘Toop Toop’ with its funky guitar jams combined with an early house electro beat show that these guys are still worth checking out. ‘Rock Number One’ has a distinctly drum and bass feel to it, with vocals provided by long term collaborator Gladys Gambie. The influence of Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ makes a less than subtle appearance on ‘This Song’, and there are a number of weaker moments, including the title track which sounds like a combination between a backing song of a Playstation racing game, and a bad case of UK garage. Nasty.
It’s when the funk kicks back in on ‘See me Now’ that things improve again, and there are even a couple of seriously old-school dance tracks towards the back end of the album – certainly some for the glow sticks. Things are returned to Earth with the Mike Skinneresque ‘La Notte’ which is a fine piece of downbeat house. All in all, this is an album that journeys through the full spectrum of the world of dance music visiting some very interesting and bright places along with a number you’d best forget. But it’s not all going to suit everybody.
Rating: 3/5
Record Label:Virgin
Release Date: 25th September 2006
Words By: Mark Lees
