Note: I haven't listened to this album in about 5 years or so. Therefore, consider my review a first-time listen review.
In 1999, I saw a music video in which people were dancing in small rooms. I don't remember any specifics, but I remember thinking "Who is this guy? He is great!" This guy was Jamiroquai, and he was one funky guy. I told my mum about it, and she got Synkronized for my ninth birthday. A friend once told me that Lenny Kravitz was the coolest guy on earth. I said no, no, he's a wanker. Jamiroquai is cool. And buy God, he can sing.
1)
Canned Heat
The song I mentioned earlier was Canned Heat. The song encourages you to dance, to put it simply. Only I thought he was saying "Got candy in my heels, big ben" instead of canned heat in my heels, baby. Oh well, I was only nine, so I wasn't really one for analyzing the lyrics. Canned Heat is a warm, bouncy, not to mention funky song that really does make you want to dance. Maybe it's because the word "Dance!" is repeated over and over again. Canned Heat lasts 5:30, which is very rewarding for a pop song, as most barely reach 3;30. 4/5
2)
Planet Home
Planet Home starts out with a cheesy keyboard tune that is very catchy. The verses are cool, but the chorus is pretty weak. The lyrics are cheesy too; "There's no place like Planet Home. I wanna' go now." I don't find this song particularly appealing or emotion-evoking. 2/5
3)
Black Capricorn Day
The song starts out with an awesome 70's sounding guitar melody. This is probably the funkiest song on the album. There are many layers to the song, with a trumpet, trombone, strings, keyboards, guitar, bass, and heavy percussion. I suppose this song is rather cheesy, but I still like it. 3/5
4)
Soul Education
Soul Education, along with having a great title, has a fantastic tune and beat to it. The chorus is plaintive and heartwarming, and makes me think of a guy I saw on a London tube station listening to it on a boombox. It is a very enjoyable and care-free song, great for when you're feeling down. The song talks about the effects of music on the body, oddly enough.
3.5/5
5)
Falling
Falling is a nice, mellowed out song. It is probably the softest song on the album, and Jamiroquai's singing is the most gentle in this song. I find it atmospheric and soothing, even more so than some of the happier songs. The cliche lyrics about falling in love do not bother me; the vocals are far better. 4/5
6)
Destitute Illusions
An ambient beat begins the song, distinguishing it from the others so far. It sounds a little bit like a modern twist on an old Pink Floyd song, but is still unique in its own way. The only words in the song are "You may think you're in heaven." I do not know exactly what this song is trying to convey, but to tell the truth, I don't care. Destitute is even more relaxed than Falling, and I give it a 4/5.
7)
Supersonic
Supersonic starts with a didgeridoo, which sounds extremely cool. Despite the techno elements surrounding the song, Supersonic has a tribal feel to it. Supersonic was the second song I heard from Synkronized, having been played on the radio quite a bit when it was released. This song is very slick, partly because of some of the more electronica feel to it. Supersonic is one of the best songs on the album, in my opinion. 4.5/5
8)
Butterfly
Oh God. Butterfly is a horrible song. I never listened to it before, and I still don't like it. I don't see anything wrong with skipping it, since Synkronized is more of track album than an album album. 1.5/5
9)
Where Do We Go From Here?
Here's some advice, if you're ever in the recording process. If you can help it, don't put two bad songs back to back. I don't enjoy Where Do We Go From Here? any more than I do Butterfly or Planet Home. The music is as cheesy as ever, even by Jamiroquai's standards. Up to this point in the album, I think I have heard the word "baby" enough times already, but this song offers me some more. 1/5
10)
King For A Day
King For A Day is a fantastic song, pure and simple. The piano harmony is good, the orchestration is good, the lyrics are good, the singing is brilliant. It is easily may favorite song on Synkronized. "Because it's true, what they say. You know it's true what they say. You want a king for a day. I guess you're happy that way" are the lyrics in the chorus. I think these are some of the best lyrics on the album. 5/5
11)
Hidden Track
This is hardly a hidden track, as 11 always shows up on stereos and computers when you play the cd, but it is not named or mentioned on the cd case or booklet, so that's all I can really call. It begins with a dark, B horror movie keyboard melody, similar to "next heap with," by Aphex Twin. After about a minute, more funky music kicks in. The verses sound a bit dated, but they are still cool. The chorus, however, is awesome. "I'm going deeper underground. There's too much panic in this town," sings J. This song gets some power from not having a name, but it mostly speaks for itself. A dark, very slick track, worthy of a 4/5
I know that not many people know Jamiroquai, so it will be hard for most of you to relate to my review. I was not as detailed in this review as I usually am, but I didn't see that much point, because Synkronized is more or less a pop album, and the same sound is in quite a lot of the songs.
Highlights:
Canned Heat
Falling
Destitute Illusions
Supersonic
King For A Day
Hidden Track
