Customer Reviews
Sam Sparro or Prince? - By: S. mason, 10 May 2008 
Great album, although halfway through I thought I was listening to Prince!
Not sure where he can go with the next single to top Black & Gold, maybe 21st Century??
Very Electro, Funky, & like I said Prince like!
It's a grower! - By: R.J.R-M, 09 May 2008 
After hearing & getting addicted to Black & Gold, I was anxiousto see if Sam Sparro's album would live up to my expectations.
If you're buying it solely on the basis of Black & Gold, I would be a bit wary, perhaps wait for another single, because there are no other songs in that vein on the album.
However, I've reallly enjoyed the album as a whole. Despite thinking on first listen that some of it was a bit cheesy - indeed some lyrics are but I don't care - I've found it completely addictive & can't stop listening to it. It's sort of like Happy Hour at a gay club, which I mean in an entirely complimentary way! It's so upbeat & fun, perfect for the summer weather which is attempting to shine through. Brilliant for anyone who likes to sing along, too.
Anyone who likes the more upbeat songs of Basement Jaxx & Scissor Sisters would probably like this album in alll its electro-disco-funk brilliance.
Stand out tracks are Sick, Cottonmouth, Clingwrap & Pocket.
If for no other reason than this album comes across as unashamedly fun & a bit different to everything in the R n B saturated charts (which I like some of but think there's a bit too much) it deserves five stars.
The new sound of the summer - By: Veronica Marwood, 08 May 2008 It would be impossible to write anything about Sam Sparro without discussing his ubiquitous first single, so I'll get that out of the way first: 'Black & Gold' is a stunning, reflective - almost melancholy - song, impossible not to love & perhaps a classic in the making. But fans of that track should approach Sparro's debut album with caution. There's only one other slow song amongst the 14 here - 'Waiting for Time' - & it doesn't even come close to matching the brooding magnificence of 'Black & Gold'. The majority of this record is far more funky & upbeat, both innovatively futuristic & pleasingly retro.
Instead of taking the standard pop route, Sparro's music mixes elements of dance, electro, funk & a distinctive 1980s sound - Prince is the most obvious influence, while 'Hot Mess' sounds like a lost track from the Scissor Sisters' first album. For me at least, the highlight of the whole collection is 'Clingwrap', a joyous, four-minute kiss-off anthem anchored around infectious hooks & brilliantly absurd, witty lyrics. 'Too Many Questions', '21st Century Life' & 'Sallly' are similarly fabulous pop songs, instantly easy to sing along to. Meanwhile, the closing hidden track, 'Still Hungry', is something of a departure - a piano-led balllad showcasing Sparro's soulful voice, it suggests a versatility that could turn its creator into a genuine star.
Anyone familiar with Sparro's debut EP will be aware that his lyrics can veer dangerously close to the offensive side of trite, as on the embarrassing 'Miss Rexi' (thankfully not included here), the brief skit 'Recycle It!' & the verses of the otherwise excellent '21st Century Life'. These lyrical indiscretions provide the weakest moments of the album - Sparro's songs work best when he sticks to the universal pop themes of relationships & having a good time.
It remains for time to tell whether Sam Sparro will ever have another hit big enough to surpass 'Black & Gold', but this record is a triumph nevertheless, packed with catchy tunes & brimming with irresistible tracks almost guaranteed to make you want to dance. It's perfect for playing in your car with the windows down on a hot day, or to get you in the mood for a big night out. If Sparro's lucky, this could well turn out to be the must-have album of summer 2008.
Very Good Debut! - By: superstar, 08 May 2008 Sam Sparro definetely has got talent! And he shows it in his album. Although i do feel this album could be better some songs that are pointless like "Recycle it" do not need to be on the album or at least one of the last songs.
I like most of the songs except: Cottonmouth,Recycle it,Clingwrap & Cut me loose these songs i feel could be better songs but there still worth a listen i suppose
Others i reallly like which is why it deserves 5 stars, also, The background music/beats are very well produced aswell.
The songs are very 80's, also its brilliant album to listen to for sunny weather! Its a great feeling album, put you right into a good mood!
If you like Black & Gold then not alll songs are like that style, if any others at alll, but it is a grower album. It opens with a catchy 'Too Many Questions' which is one of my faves on album & ends with 'I can't stop this!' which is also a great song, its two songs in one which makes it 12mins long!
If your looking for a great summer album then this is the one! Im looking forward to more from Sam Sparro!
I love the music, but the "IN YA FACE" production gets wearing! - By: DSR, 07 May 2008 The tracks on here show great talent to my tired old ears, each one subtly different from the previous one & no less interesting. I feel that much thought went into the composition, recording & basic mixing of each track & I personallly find joy in a modern artist using their style (electrofunk?) so sensitively & with some imagination. For some reason, I hear shades of Depeche Mode on this CD - strange....
So far so good & a worthy five stars for the music alone! However, yet again the music machine has got at the finished CD product & forced the sound volume of each & every track to be FAR TOO LOUD AND IN YOUR FACE!!!!!! I just can't listen to this from one end to the other - it's just too much - every track comes on at the same intense bassy level & there seems to be no light & shade in the "sound" at alll, unlike the music, which is desperately begging to be loosened up a little. If I want to hear music sound like this CD, I'll tune in to screaming Radio 1, which is even worse... The Depeche Mode albums I referred to are in a different league in terms of mastering, with real perspective into the mix, something Sam Sparro had too in his mixes at one point I think.
I wish the album could be "relaxed" a bit in the mastering, to alllow the musicallly obvious light, shade & "texture" to flow forth more naturallly. Even the gentler, moody tracks sound like they're full on "speed" & it's such a shame that the tracks couldn't have been released with their natural dynamics. The sound is worse on the kind of tiny sound systems you buy in Argos too. I hope the music industry wakes up to this sonic butchering before it's too late!
Gripe over! The music more than justifies the five stars I've given it
RECOMMENDED REGARDLESS!
