Sleepwalking

by Tim DiGravinaComing off the heels of the superb Northern Sulphuric Soul, Sleepwalking is quite a disappointment. The title couldn't be more fitting, as Rae & Christian seem to have merely triggered their rather weak electronic loops and decided that they would let their collaborators take the blame or acclaim for the resulting album. Examining the tired instrumentals where Rae & Christian wrestle for control leads to a rather obvious conclusion that they've run out of ideas. "Blazing the Crop" is built on tacky scratching sound effects and clichéd samples and rapping. "Trailing in the Wake" goes nowhere and "Ready to Roll" brings in more scratching and weak samples. The remaining songs are only as good as the artists who collaborate on them. Two songs by the Pharcyde show that their creative well has run dry. Bobby Womack adds some much needed soul to his two contributions, his vocals suggesting a frazzled Al Green. The three female guest vocalists provide dreamy vocals that are largely interchangeable, though Tania Maria manages to conjure a lush exoticism. Kate Rogers attempts a Dot Allison impersonation, and Siron is hurt by "Salvation"'s similarity to a Beth Orton song. The Congos, like Womack, inject Sleepwalking with great personality, but it's ultimately not enough to recommend an album that fails to maintain both mood and melody. The album simply begs for better arrangements and remixing. One can only hope that Rae & Christian arise from this slumber.