Artist: Freemasons Album: Shakedown

Year: 2007
Duration: 0:0-1

Taking a Critical Look at Freemasons' Shakedown Album

Freemasons is a British dance music production duo composed of James Wiltshire and Russell Small, who have made a name for themselves as remixers and producers of many dancefloor hits. Their discography includes remixes of well-known artists such as Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, and Kylie Minogue. Among their original works is the 2007 album Shakedown, which has received mixed reviews from music critics and fans alike. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at this album, discuss its genre, evaluate the best songs, highlight innovative parts, and offer some criticism.

Shakedown falls under the electronic dance music (EDM) genre, which has been around since the 1980s and has evolved into various sub-genres, such as house, techno, and trance. This album specifically leans towards the house music sub-genre, which features repetitive beats, synthesized melodies, and soulful vocals. Shakedown has 14 tracks in total and features different guest vocalists, such as Amanda Wilson, Katherine Ellis, and Bailey Tzuke. The album opens with Love on My Mind, which is a catchy and funky tune that sets the tone for the rest of the tracks.

The standout songs of Shakedown are Uninvited, Rain Down Love, and When You Touch Me. Uninvited is a house cover of Alanis Morissette’s song and features the haunting voice of Bailey Tzuke. The track has garnered over 10 million views on YouTube and remains a crowd favorite in dance clubs. Rain Down Love is a soulful and uplifting track that showcases the talents of vocalist Siedah Garrett. When You Touch Me features the vocal prowess of Katherine Ellis and has a hypnotic beat that is irresistibly danceable.

One of the most innovative parts of Shakedown is the blending of different genres. While the album has a consistent house music sound, it also incorporates elements of pop, funk, and even rock in some tracks. For example, If features a guitar riff that adds some rock flavor to the infectious beat. Additionally, Nothing but a Heartache features a fusion of funk and house, which is a refreshing break from the album's otherwise consistent sound.

While Shakedown has its highlights, it also has some inconsistencies and missteps. One criticism is that some of the tracks sound too similar, with recycled beats and melodies. Moreover, some of the guest vocalists, such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Sylvia Mason-James, fail to bring something noteworthy to their respective tracks and end up sounding generic.

Overall, Freemasons' Shakedown album is a decent effort that showcases the duo's production skills and knack for creating catchy house tunes. The incorporation of different genres and guest vocalists adds variety and depth to the album. However, its inconsistencies and lack of cohesion in some tracks prevent it from being a standout house music album. Nonetheless, the album is sure to please EDM fans and dance enthusiasts who are in need of a good beat to get them moving.