Search - Fuzz Townshend :: Far in

Excellent electronic/dance album

rsilva | new york city | 04/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fuzz Townshend's first solo album, 'Far In' proves that Fuzz is both a creative and cultured song writer and performer. With samples that range from happy, jingle-esque keyboard melodies to deep, full bass lines, Fuzz's newest release is a collection of many different styles: electronic, dance, rock, hip hop, surf rock. Every tune on this record, with simple riffs and beats, produces the same effect: tunes that sound just right and make you feel good.Some suggested tracks:'Sister Brother' is a hard pounding, get-up-and-get-down song that gets your adrenaline pumping. Above all else the message in this song, although cliche to some, really reaches out to the listener and hits home.'Smash It' can best be described as this: get in a convertible and just cruise the longest stretch of desert highway on the most beautiful day of the year. Although an instrumental, the message i receive from it is to let go of your worries for a time and just enjoy the present moment.'Summertime' starts right up with a very mellow groove that continues till the end of the piece. In a way the song is almost reminiscent of old-school hip hop tunes that, although were incredibly simple, had just a great rhythm going."

Uncomplicated fun and gettin' down party music..

Christopher Betche | Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA | 10/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are pros and cons on buying something on one review. Sometimes you'll get total (...), and sometimes you get a product that is very enjoyable. I bought Far In on faith from a review in a music mag. It's not as good as the article claimed, but it's a fun ride nevertheless. Fuzz Townshend sets out to make a party album, and for the most part, he succeeds. At Auntie Tom's is trumpet-laden bouncy old school beats. Original Boom is reggae flavored slow bounce. I Have Seen the Light is straight forward dancey big beat. Sister Brother has some really annoying vocals, and a beat that doesn't save the song. Smash It, the album's highlight, has a good chorus sample, rising and falling rhythm, and some funky synthwork that gets you up and moving. Bus slows down for a little trippy big beat action. Riviera seems out of place, but evokes an almost Spanish hip-hop flavor. Summertime is minimal and moody, but good background music. Boogie Too has a great primitive synthesizer beat and a really annoying sample; you'll either love it or hate it. Get Yerself thumps just enough to make up for some weak lyrics. Drop It sounds like Fatboy Slim at his worst: all annoying beat and no catchy hook. My Way is spooky and poorly executed. Outside Wide is barely filler. Far In has some interesting guitar distortion into breakbeats, but not much else. Test Card is a calming, guitar-beat track that works as a conclusion. So to sum up, the highlights are At Auntie Tom's, Smash It, and Bus. The album as a whole is straightforward and simple, and shows Townshend's potential to make a really good album next time."