Automaton
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LP / Format
Virgin EMI / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS
86
Automaton is a pop/funk/acid jazz/disco/proto-house opus that succeeds in discounting the band’s growing pains within the confines of both fame and pop music.
83
A curious band of preservationists, Jamiroquai’s versatility across the Automaton LP proves the value of staying power and musical chops, if nothing else.
80
Despite some naff phrases, dodgy song titles and a lot of robotic trickery, during times of grim austerity, the return of Jay Kay’s elite, escapist lifestyle – full of fast cars, fast girls and big bulldozing basslines – offers a flash of ostentatious fun.
80
They may not find new listeners after a seven-year hiatus, but Automaton by Jamiroquai is a strong return and experimental contribution to popular music from a band too often identified solely for one song and its striking video.
70
Overall, Automaton is inspired, experimental and timeworn. Jay Kay and crew still have something in the tank, even if newcomers might still be left wondering what the fuss is all about.
70
Kay's lyrics and delivery are suited for the uplifting cuts and Automaton abounds with them.
70
The album is a testament of their talent: No band from the ’90s has stayed so true to its sound while modifying it in real time, yielding some of its best work more than 20 years after its inception.
70
There are few bands who play classic disco-funk with as much genuine love for the genre and care in the productions as Kay and Jamiroquai. Ultimately, it's that sense of love and good vibes that drives much of Automaton.
60
Even Jamiroquai-purists may have forgiven the lack of human-made funk and electronic gadgety if it had an appropriate air-tight parable behind it.
60
Ironically ... it’s the more old-school tracks that furnish the highlights.
55
This new LP harks back to their early work more than the sparse albums since 2001, with propulsive grooves and Jay Kay's smooth—like-butter vocals. What it doesn't provide is many reasons to turn to this disc over one of those old ones.
50
Musically, Automaton possesses a freewheeling swagger that's energizing and intensely danceable, and Jamiroquai updates their familiar brand of disco and funk into something that feels fresh and progressive. But unfortunately Kay doesn't have anything new to say, as his views on society, technology, and relationships are trapped in a bygone era.
40
On ‘Automaton’, the band falters under the weight of its previous singles, leaving any possibility for chart success mired in a sound that comes across as tired and unoriginal, and the album listening experience as a monotonous ordeal.
30
In the end, the lairy playboy of the 90s has become the randy dad of 2017. While this album has some good elements, the overall effect is to put the ‘why?’ in Jamiroquai.
This album is pure junk food and has no real nutritional value, but I'm going to die anyway.
It really took them seven years to automate this album after having inserted the necessary data?
A routine of flashy disco-funk rhythms that spin round and round the dancefloor without raising the temperature.
A routine of flashy disco-funk rhythms that spin round and round the dancefloor without raising the temperature.
This album could only be seen as amazing, for newcomers of the Jamiroquai sound. At this point in time for long time listeners, what can be taken away is that it is a new batch of songs to obsess over but do not expect something great here, only more of the same.
It is still a Jamiroquai album, but without clear meteoric songs, the musical landscape of this album feels flat. Where usually the deep cuts would feed off of the instantly catchy songs, and later grow through numerous listens, that ... read more
It is still a Jamiroquai album, but without clear meteoric songs, the musical landscape of this album feels flat. Where usually the deep cuts would feed off of the instantly catchy songs, and later grow through numerous listens, that ... read more
TRACK LIST:
Shake It On (7.0)
Automaton (9.7)
Cloud 9 (8.9)
Superfresh (8.0)
Hot Property (6.0)
Something About You (5.6)
Summer Girl (6.1)
Nights Out in the Jungle (6.0)
Dr Buzz (5.3)
We Can Do It (5.6)
Vitamin (6.2)
Carla (7.8)
Shake It On (7.0)
Automaton (9.7)
Cloud 9 (8.9)
Superfresh (8.0)
Hot Property (6.0)
Something About You (5.6)
Summer Girl (6.1)
Nights Out in the Jungle (6.0)
Dr Buzz (5.3)
We Can Do It (5.6)
Vitamin (6.2)
Carla (7.8)
Not a fan of this album at all. Sorry.
Tracklist:
1. Shake It On (2.5)
2. Automaton (2.0)
3. Cloud 9 (2.9)
4. Superfresh (2.2)
5. Hot Property (2.8)
6. Something About You (2.8)
7. Summer Girl (2.6)
8. Nights Out In The Jungle (1.8)
9. Dr. Buzz (2.7)
10. We Can Do It (2.2)
11. Vitamin (1.9)
12. Carla (2.7)
OVERALL: 2,19, 44/100
Tracklist:
1. Shake It On (2.5)
2. Automaton (2.0)
3. Cloud 9 (2.9)
4. Superfresh (2.2)
5. Hot Property (2.8)
6. Something About You (2.8)
7. Summer Girl (2.6)
8. Nights Out In The Jungle (1.8)
9. Dr. Buzz (2.7)
10. We Can Do It (2.2)
11. Vitamin (1.9)
12. Carla (2.7)
OVERALL: 2,19, 44/100
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Year End Lists
| #23 | / | Albumism |
Track List
- Shake It On
- Automaton
- Cloud 9
- Superfresh
- Hot Property
- Something About You
- Summer Girl
- Nights Out in the Jungle
- Dr Buzz
- We Can Do It
- Vitamin
- Carla
![Black Sabbath - Vol 4: [Super Deluxe Edition]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/200x/album/333546-vol-4-super-deluxe-edition.jpg)
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Added on: January 27, 2017