Republic Of Loose - 'Aaagh' (Loaded Dice) Released 22/10/07

Two albums in and Republic Of Loose spurred on by a reasonable flurry of success in the land of the leprechaun have decided to roll their sleeves up and get to it with a UK release. Having already charted highly in the Irish charts, album 'Aargh', which apparently wasn't just a random title plucked from the air through the overuse of Afghanistan's biggest export, was created more to signify a state of mind and way of release. Aiming at putting across the point of view that native Irish lads can mix easi-fitting lounge and guitar grooves with American rap influences, in affect they are playing on the slightly skewed premise from a classic Woody Harrelson/ Wesley Snipes film here proving that white men CAN rap.

The album starts in a farcical manner with a brief intro narrated by Mik Pyro in a rich Irish accent. Adding some explanation to the albums in your face title an overly Americanised rant filled with gangster rapper wannabe dialogue and the insane cackles of a blood thirsty pirate, that could fit the bill more of Blackbeard than Snoop Dog, ploughs away for an agonising minute or two. 'Aaagh' the albums signature track is a classic hip hop/rap track in which all Irish connections are lost and the feel of the 80's US rap scene take control injected with elements of the Rocky Horror Show.
 
'Translation' plays on the popier side of things and has received airplay in the US although it's reception was less favourable in South Africa as it's content was taken for promoting unprotected sex. 'Comeback Girl' is quite possibly the best track on the album, it's pairing of a catchy beat and bass melody and highly appealing simple lyrical content make it a very commercial track. 'Break', a track which has also proved a hit in the selected countries where the album has been released is bristling with a composition showing a certain influence from the Timbaland/ Timberlake partnership. If you've going to jump on any band wagon it may as well be theirs.

The opening to this album is farcical, initial impressions are that the album will yield poor production, annoying lyrics and substandard vocals, subsequent tracks prove this to be different. Just be prepared to stick it out.