Call them cute, call them clever, but don't call them kitschy. The Dutch duo Arling and Cameron are serious about frivolity. The pair "sample themselves" by playing all their own instruments then shaping melodies around bi... more »ts of their own recordings, resulting in totally original, grin-bearing dance tracks. Using the occasional outsourced sample only as coloring, All In should satisfy those who have little faith in the integrity of sample-heavy dance music. It's high modern art and kindergarten fodder rolled into one. --Beth Massa« less
Call them cute, call them clever, but don't call them kitschy. The Dutch duo Arling and Cameron are serious about frivolity. The pair "sample themselves" by playing all their own instruments then shaping melodies around bits of their own recordings, resulting in totally original, grin-bearing dance tracks. Using the occasional outsourced sample only as coloring, All In should satisfy those who have little faith in the integrity of sample-heavy dance music. It's high modern art and kindergarten fodder rolled into one. --Beth Massa
mindprowler | Colorado Springs, CO United States | 04/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never heard music quite like this. It is so happy and so off-the-wall that you can't help smiling when you listen to it."
The Dutch meet the Japanese!
M. Williams | Texas, USA | 10/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amsterdam meets Tokyo in a strange array of samples and dance beats. This record is sugary to the bone with campy dance tracks, but it dose not lack pop sophistication. I believe two tracks from ALL IN are featured in Acura commercials.Between the samples and the dancefloor backbeats, the album is composed very nicely, and there are some really clever lounge numbers that really cap the ALL IN release off (for me at least). This isn't a one genera album, they hit just about everything that is cool and hip."
Impression
a pleeb | pennsylvania | 04/24/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"i thought it was gonna be an sense stimulating chocolate covered trip. i guess i got my expectations too high because when i got the album, i wasn't that impressed and a little disappointed.i think groups like pizzicato five, bis, and even deee-lite have already done what these guys are doing, and probably better. i'm not trying to totally slam this album though. it is a light, upbeat dance music album that would probably work good as backround music at a party or while you are cleaning the house... my favorite songs in that case would be "speeding down the highway", and "we love to rock".i think its only mildly fun and the plastic taste leaves you wanting some more substantial musical food. it won't leave a lasting impression."
Ohhh yes!!
madame_artiste | Little Rock, AR United States | 01/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You simply *must* love this music. It is happiness. It makes me bounce. It makes me love life. It was like they scraped away the evil in life and allowed us to see the good stuff again."
Something very clever
xiao bai | Boston, MA | 07/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""cunning and clever" was a great way to describe this album. i think anybody who is laden with heavy music that fails to make them smile should have a listen to this. it is an amzing start for the group and it is filled with the type of music that just feels good and positive and fun. i highly recommend checking it out."