As time wears on, it appears as though it's becoming increasingly more difficult to come up with a unique spin on rock music. But every so often, an artist shows up to offer a pleasant surprise. Case in point,
Think of One and their 2008 release,
Camping Shaâbi. Although the group hails from Belgium (the town of Antwerp, to be exact),
Think of One certainly has a thing for world music, specifically a style dubbed "Moroccan Shaâbi," which is best described as a form of Middle Eastern-sounding alternative pop-dance. However,
Think of One manage to put their own unique spin on it, as they inject unmistakable elements of rock into the proceedings, as well as vocals that blend Arabic, French, and Antwerp's own Flemish dialect together. What you get is a style that works more times than not -- including such standouts as the electro call-and-response opener, "J'étais Jetée" and the moody, slowly building rocker "Hamdushi Five." Admittedly, there are a few misfires (including the done-to-death rap schtick on "Oppressor"), but if you're a fan of the artists who show up on
David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, there's a fair chance that
Think of One may be your favorite new band upon discovering
Camping Shaâbi. ~ Greg Prato