Artist: Fila Brazillia Album: Power Clown

Year: 1998
Duration: 1:03:14

Power Clown by Fila Brazillia: A Critical Review

Fila Brazillia is an electronic music group from Hull, England, established in 1990 by Steve Cobby and David McSherry. They have released a number of albums that centre on house, downtempo, and trip hop music. Power Clown is their third studio album, and it was released in 1998, on Pork Recordings. It’s an album that breaks away from traditional electronic music, blending various genres and making it one of the most influential albums of the late ’90s. In this post, we will review the album, highlighting its genre, the best songs of the album, and its most innovative parts.

Power Clown introduced a new genre for Fila Brazillia, blending together downtempo, trip hop, and electronic music. The album is a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks, with the songs often mixing several different genres into one composition. It’s a testament to Fila Brazillia’s ability to experiment and create original music. They’re unique in their approach to electronic music, as Power Clown subtly adds twists of jazz, funk, and Dub soundscapes throughout the album.

One of the best songs on the album is “Mermaids.” The track is a perfect example of how Fila Brazillia blended different genres, starting with a jazzy intro that leads to a mellow groove filled with a repetitive bassline, drum rhythms, and a few synth pads. The track takes you on a journey and is full of surprises. Another impressive track is “Fila Funk,” which is a Funk inspired electronic jam. The overall arrangement of the track is melody-rich, giving the listener a great audio experience.

Apart from the fantastic blend of genres and the great quality of songs, what makes Power Clown special is its use of the sound design. Fila Brazillia uses unexpected sound effects used within the songs that add depth and interest to the compositions. For instance, in the “A Zed and Two L’s,” there are several sound effects that are readily identifiable, such as a computer mouse clicking. It’s an unusual addition yet works perfectly within the track. Additionally, Fila Brazillia is consistent in their use of brass instruments and a variety of percussion, which gives the album an organic sound.

While Power Clown is a great album, it also has a criticism worth mentioning. The album does suffer from pacing issues, with a few tracks dragging on longer than they need to be. The overall album experience is enjoyable, yet it is not particularly fast-paced, and some listeners might find the pace a bit slow for their taste.

Power Clown is a fantastic album from Fila Brazillia, with each track adding to the overall theme and genre blend. The album was a prime example of their innovative take on electronic music. With stellar tracks such as “Mermaids” and “Fila Funk,” the listener is promised a great musical journey. Although some tracks do drag on a bit longer than necessary, the album is a testament to Fila Brazillia’s creative prowess. Power Clown may have aged a little over the years, but it is still a great album with a lot to offer to any music lover. If you’re looking for an excellent experimental electronic album, Power Clown by Fila Brazillia is highly recommended.