Gus Gus - Forever

Something happens in Gus Gus' transition from a 9-person collective to a threesome. The eclectic funky mix that appeared on their 4AD evaporated, and they became just another electro band. On their 4th album, _Forever_, they attempt to recapture some of the magic by blending their electro leaning into other genres, whether the R&B of "You'll Never Change" or the Chicago house of "Hold You." Many of the intrumental tracks, however, fail to take hold of the imagination, including the title track, which attempts some acid manuevering, but without real impact. Mr. Scruff's "Sweet Smoke" gets namechecked here, but the original still stands above. "Porn" goes deeper and succeeds for it, but with the original line up, the tracks -- even the long jams -- had a sense that anything could happen. Not so much anymore. "Demo 54" mines the same lines over again. It's not that these tracks are bad, by any means, but you do wonder where they could have gone. Listen to Daniel Agust's return with "Moss," and you'll hear the difference immediately. Indeed, "Mallflowers" sounds as if it came from the old T-World days. Though it's a little early to start indulging in late 90s nostalgia, in this one case, I'll allow it.