The self-titled 2012 debut album from Britain's Lonsdale Boys Club is a tight showcase for the trio's catchy, club-oriented mix of dance-rock, pop, and R&B. These are slick, fun-loving tracks that emphasize frontman Charlie Weaver's mix of soulful singing and rapping. Imagine the infectious, earnestly doopid frat-rap boy band stylings of LFO matched with the equally campy party rap of 3OH!3, but delivered with the thickest British accent this side of Ali G, and you've essentially got Lonsdale Boys Club. Musically, there is ...
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The self-titled 2012 debut album from Britain's Lonsdale Boys Club is a tight showcase for the trio's catchy, club-oriented mix of dance-rock, pop, and R&B. These are slick, fun-loving tracks that emphasize frontman Charlie Weaver's mix of soulful singing and rapping. Imagine the infectious, earnestly doopid frat-rap boy band stylings of LFO matched with the equally campy party rap of 3OH!3, but delivered with the thickest British accent this side of Ali G, and you've essentially got Lonsdale Boys Club. Musically, there is a heavy '80s synth pop, new wave, and disco vibe here, with cuts like "Light Me Up," "Ready to Go," and "Swings and Roundabouts" bringing to mind an even lighter version of Phoenix's similarly inclined sound. However, while the band does evince a hip-hop-heavy image here, most of the tracks sound like they were originally composed on the acoustic guitar, with horns and even a female vocalist popping up here and there, like on the unexpectedly moving ballad "Favourite Love." Even Weaver's melodic half-sung, half-rapped lyrics, while not the most sophisticated flow ever recorded, are pretty memorable and tend to stick in your ears with a sugary pop efficiency. Of course, with lyrics like "Put them hands like whoa (whoa)/Sing it like hey (hey)/We're living like Hawaii/And we're gonna get lei'd," which Weaver croons with insouciant swagger on "Hooligans and Hulagirls," and "4, 3 to the 2 to the 1/She come when the lights are on/The lights are on, the lights are on/But no one's home," off the hook-up anthem "Ready to Go," Lonsdale Boys Club aren't in any danger of being misunderstood. This is good-time pop music made by lads, for lads and the ladies who luv 'em. A guilty pleasure to be sure, and don't be surprised if it keeps you humming and hitting the replay button. Just don't forget to put a dollar in the douchebag jar as you head to the dancefloor. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi
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