Grade: C-
House music has enjoyed quite a renaissance lately. Artists like LCD Soundsystem, Justice and Simian Mobile Disco have shown that house need not be cold and indifferent. Rather, it can be just as cathartic, involving and creative as any other genre.
Unfortunately, Morgan Page never seemed to get the memo. Believe, the debut album by the popular progressive house DJ, is full of enough house music clichés to make up Saturday Night Live's 'Deep House Dish' sketches. It's an album nearly devoid of originality.
Granted, there are some decent numbers on here. The album begins with a surprisingly strong cover of Pete Yorn's 'Strange Condition.' Normally, a house cover of a folk track would be a recipe for disaster, but somehow, it manages to work.
After that, however, the good vibes vanish almost completely. The next three tracks are dull and lifeless, and sound nearly identical.
Even the lead single 'Fight or You' is a rather drab number, with uninspired beats that hardly seem worth dancing too. In the context of the club, it could be decent, but on a home stereo system, it's nothing special.
Admittedly, things pick up a bit as the album goes. The soaring operatic vocals in 'Agnus Dei' are quite compelling, and 'Traces Remain' has a synth riff that might inspire a little toe-tapping.
Still, nothing is said here that hasn't been said by stronger artists like Hot Chip or Goldfrapp. This album is simply too stale and derivative to be interesting.
There are some undeniable high points on this album, and with a little more effort, it could've been a strong effort. As it stands, this album is cluttered by too many dull tracks dull. The best songs are worth downloading, but the majority of this album is too weak to recommend.
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