Mr Oizo - Lambs Anger

For want of more apt vocabulary, this album is absolutely shit hot.

The adroit Mr Oizo (pronounced wah-zow) has returned with an array of electro house tomfoolery, that only the masterful hands of this moustachioed magus could mould into something so infectious it makes SARS look like the sniffles. Remember, when Justice were nibbling on rusks and getting cradled to sleep, this guy was topping charts with the smash-hit single 'Flat Beat'. There is a veteran in the ranks, people.

The pounding beats of opening track 'Hun' sound out new variations and approaches to the avant-garde sound that catapulted 'Flat Beat' and its furry mascot Flat Eric to fame. Perhaps the artwork of ‘Lambs Anger’ is a Flat Eric-related statement in itself. Influenced by the 1928 French classic 'Un Chien Andalou', the cover is a neat illustration of the much-loved marionette held at knife point. Possibly a hint towards the death of the funkiest puppet on record, and with it an undeserved one trick pony reputation that has haunted Mr Dupieux (Oizo).

Embedded within 'Hun' is the Frenchman himself, coming through the voice of what seems like Microsoft Anna, preparing for the listener for what he/she describes as "a collection of some recorded stuff, some are good, some are bad, some are just OK". Modesty within such blatant talent is plain patronising to me.

'Pouriture 2' succeeds the opening track, clocking in at a sharp two minutes in length. An almost AD/HD-like method, which the Frenchman seems to adopt throughout ‘Lambs Anger’, with the priority on some serious aural teasing, as opposed to overstaying his welcome. A flashback to ‘Moustache (Half A Scissor)’ is evident within the plucky hi-NRG disco (circa ‘90s) of 'Z' before the sexy saxophone of 'Cut Dick' manages to somehow spark a disturbing congruity with 'Safety Dance' by Men Without Hats. In a good way. Honest.

Sampladelica ensues, and Oizo bursts into his own rendition of Rob Base's 1988 hit 'It Takes Two', featuring the vocals of the mysterious Carmen Castro. Perhaps lacking the absorbing complexities of fellow tracks, yet not to be spurned. Its simplistic, mutated late ‘80s disco is a pleasant respite. And no sooner has one recovered from the (verging on indefinable) mayhem of this rapid LP, are ears thrust towards the siren-soaked descending rave of 'Bruce Willis Is Dead'. Recent single 'Positif' sustains the tempo in top gear, now delving into the weaponry to produce a fizzing synth hook. For the record, Mr Willis is alive and well.

Uber-cool Uffie (think 'The Party' by Justice) makes yet another high-profile appearance by lending her cheeky tone to the clap-clap of 'Steroids'. And in true Mr Oizo custom, the following song takes a completely different tone and composition and adds just a little more incoherent madness to his melodious methods.

‘Lambs Anger’ is without a doubt Mr Oizo's most complete work to date, and perfectly defines the unpredictable flair of the understated Frenchman. Forever more will the sight of an infuriated small sheep make me think... time to dance.