shapeshifters_soundadvice music reviews Virgin Media
After they'd scored a number one with the massive house hit Lola's Theme way back in July 2004, we half expected Positiva's Shapeshifters to disappear off the map altogether, perhaps cropping up now and again to cream off the one-hit success with a DJ mix or a couple of half-arsed compilations. Now three singles in and ready to release their debut LP, it seems we were mistaken - this duo are in it for the long haul.
Sadly, nothing here stands out half as much as the aforementioned chart-topper. Although the pair are undoubtedly extremely accomplished as producers their end product often slips into generic and mediocre territory - perhaps through complacency, or perhaps simply because uplifting vocal house as a genre is so prone to underachievement, designed for a club environment rather than close scrutiny (in this case by a music reviewer with two left feet and an aversion to handbag house). Whatever the excuse, Sound Advice is let down by a willingness to fit tracks to an acceptable house template without ever quite pushing them anywhere too interesting; Sensitivity is nothing if not by-numbers disco floorfiller, Over Me a monotonous pitter-patter of anaemic beats and washed out guitar samples, and Really Feel just makes us really feel, well, a bit bored.
But honestly, don't listen to us grumps - if what you're after is a well-polished collection of pre-clubbing house numbers then Sound Advice should be right up your alley.
