Posted on 04/18/2008
Electronic music is a genre that has changed drastically over the years. Once relegated solely to trendy clubs, the genre has gone through many popular incarnations - from 1990s raves, turn of the century ambient background music, then re-infusion with full bands ala the post-punk movements of the late 1970s/early 80s, and today to a plethora of electronic remixes. Moby has been there through it all, both as a fan and artist. On his new disc, Last Night, Moby attempts to take it back to his original inspiration: the frequently long nights out and their many phases. Unfortunately, most of the music on Last Night sounds like music we've all, including Moby, have heard already, leading to a mostly cliché and unmemorable album.

On Last Night, an album Moby hoped would return him to his DJ and producer glory days, the music rarely goes beyond the typical structures and gimmicks found on most dance songs throughout history. Screams and three second clips of verses are repeated over and over, a tired technique that harks back to the late 80s/early 90s, most evident on the track "Live for Tomorrow" and the appropriately titled "Everyday it's 1989." Beyond this, the beats seem to be mostly culled from a "Dance Music 101" collection, especially the song "The Stars." It's not quite laziness, as Moby does respectfully layer his songs with many different and interesting sonic elements, but again, the music sounds stale-a feeling hard to accept from the artist behind the groundbreaking Play.

With all of this said though, there still are some positive things to take away from Last Night. The title track closes the album, and is a nice futuristic soul number. Singer Sylvia Gordon sophisticatedly croons over Moby's slow-burning synths and atmosphere, making for an intriguing song. Also throughout the album, Moby turns to live piano to give the tracks an unexpected flair, and the attempt is appreciated. Furthermore the track "I Love to Move in Here" features a verse from Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers, but unfortunately it is mostly lost to the rest of the song.

In popular culture, there seems to be two types of music made: Music for aficionados and close listeners, and music made for people who don't seem to care much past a good beat and general feel of the song. If you're one of the latter, you should find no problem with Last Night. The album will be the perfect soundtrack to your next work out. But for the rest of us, while Moby deserves some respect for his past work and for what he attempts to do with this album, Last Night might leave you nostalgic not for better music, but for better Moby.

 

- Michael Drohan