By Dusty Ray
With Funk Forever, Intergalactic Funk Cowboy has created a heavy-handed, electronic and synth-laden mass of nebulous music. From the terse delivery of Devo to the more introspective rattling of Depeche Mode, Intergalactic Funk Cowboy jumps between Nu Wave and funk without hesitation.
The music is easy to dance to, and as Intergalactic Funk Cowboy says: “This is meant to move your booty.” But you might find that your booty is the only thing being moved by this strange mash-up. Substance is lacking on Funk Forever, and the Intergalactic Funk Cowboy makes it apparent that he does not want to be taken seriously. It borders on becoming the turgid ramblings of a madman, much like the forever strange statements of Sun Ra.
“Seal the Deal” is highly reminiscent of They Might Be Giants. Driven by a distorted synthesizer and phased-out drums, it sets the tone of the rest of the album: Outer space is cool, and Intergalactic Funk Cowboy is in a constant battle with his arch nemesis, the Pirate of Unfunk. The theme of space battles pervades the cut, and is revealing of Intergalactic Funk Cowboy’s own inner struggle with the dichotomy of being a master of funk and a soldier on the frontlines of interplanetary war.
In the end, Funk Forever sounds less like a funk album, and more like an experiment in Nu Wave composition. Driven by electronics and synth, its funkiness lacks the punch of an acoustic drum set or wah-pedal guitar, but still retains a spirit of funk in its outlandish concepts and hilarious lyrics.
funkcowboy.com
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