Calvin Harris - I Created Disco (Album)
» Calvin Harris - Hi-Fi, The, VIC - February 8, 2008
Calvin Harris is, although not the first, or last to gain popularity through the net on a little site known as Myspace. (Think Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen).
Surrounded by major hype, the big test always comes when these acts finally come around to releasing a debut album.
Claiming inspiration from acts such as Visage, Tiga, Prince, Mylo, and LCD Soundsystem just to name a few, it’d take a mighty creature to be able to tame the likes of these sounds and mix them up into something pleasurable for the ears to digest.
This young 23 year old “knob twister”, hailing from Dumfries, Scotland tries his best to live up to all this.
With already recognisable tracks such as Acceptable in the 80s and his latest single The Girls, albums are always guaranteed to walk off the shelves and into synth disco pop lovers hands. It seems he can’t put a foot wrong.
Using an ancient Amiga computer to create his albums 80s inspired tracks for the newest dance floor crazed generation he insists that although his tunes “aren’t supposed to invoke deep thought within people; they’re just to get you dancing” and that’s what they seem to be doing.
The album, I Created Disco, opens with a simplistic, yet smooth track - Merrymaking at my Place, onto synth induced, hilariously catchy, cheesy pop tracks such as (aforementioned) The Girls and Acceptable in the 80s. Further down he gets a little more experimental with Neon Rocks and Traffic Cops. Towards the end with the where the lyrics are fewer and further between when the album focuses purely on the deep nittier – grittier sound of a rock – based synth. Tracks included here are Vegas and I Created Disco.
Although good, they don’t live up to the likes of tracks from the Midnight Juggernauts, Lost Valentinos, and The Presets. The type of bands I’ve grown accustomed to for synth based music.
Overall the album, although musically sound, lyrically it’s rather minimal. But, seeming as Calvin’s vocal range is limited, he’s played to his strengths.
Whilst each track is unique on its own; as a whole package, they become washed in familiarity, blurred, and unfulfilling. It’ll take a couple of listens for the songs to grow on you, but, play them once too many - and I’ll be blowed if they aren’t quick to get on your nerves. – Definitely doesn’t have the longevity of artists of yesteryear, but then again, who really does these days?
The best way to listen to this one is either whilst your favourite night spot puts it on the decks for a quick spin, or whilst holding a house party for those who feel inclined to “bust a move”.
