October 9, 1998

The Impossible World

Sometimes music is wasted on the young. Combustible Edison may have helped start the easy-listening revival, but they were trying to impress the wrong people....

7 / 10 SOMETIMES MUSIC IS wasted on the young. Combustible Edison may have helped start the easy-listening revival, but they were trying to impress the wrong people. Sure, there's plenty of short-term kudos to be had from leading a kitsch fad, maybe a few dozen units to be shifted, but these things fade and soon you're not even ironically cool.

Combustible Edison should be going head-to-head with Henry Mancini for the hearts and wallets of the over-40s. They might lose their cool mates but they'd make a mint. Still, if it's wilful obscurity they want, they've got it; but this third album, co-produced by sample terrorist Scanner of all people, is too good to be lost.

The idea of a soundtrack to an imaginary film is hardly a new one, and most genuine soundtrack albums are a waste of time. 'The Impossible World', however, is a charming affair, a gentle mood journey through cheesy bossa nova, Hawaiian hula, Bond themes and coy French porn jazz.

It's all a bit knowing, but after a vodka Martini you're ready to don tuxedo and go in search of sweet lurve. The kids, though, just won't understand.

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