Welcome To Poppy's

Amazon.co.uk Review Welcome to Poppy's sees the Fun Lovin' Criminals further embracing the tequila sunrise and bad Hawaiian shirt phase of their career that they launched with 2001's Loco. Just as real-life gangsters inevitably grow into cuddly caricatures, so Huey, Fast and new drummer Frank the Rhythm Man, New York's charismatic wannabe hoods, have swapped back-alley cool and wiseguy chic for tacky glitz and a fluffier take on street life. Now more Tony Soprano than Scarface, Huey shows his sensitive side on cosy swayers "Got Our Love" and "Beautiful", even intoning on "You Just Can't Have It All" that regrets, he may have a few. Either growing old gracefully or taking the mobster theme to its obvious country club conclusion, they're amiable, if unspectacular, tunes. Likewise, "This Sick World" is their familiar street-smart shuffle mellowed, while "Friday Night" lounges to the point of coma; albeit a very pleasurable one. Yet, even at their naffest (and Welcome to Poppy's doesn't pretend to be anything other than camp fun) they manage to pull a handful of absolute winners out of the bag. With cheesy winks and irrepressible choruses, the shimmy of "Too Hot", the bump of "Stray Bullet" and the slapstick blues of "You Got a Problem" would make even those who despise the FLC's gangster shtick sing-along. --Dan Gennoe Description 'Welcome To Poppy's' is the fifth album from New York basedoutfit Fun Lovin' Criminals and their first for the Sanctuary label. The album continues in the vain of the bands previous releases with Huey's laidback half rapped/half sung vocals layered over a hip hop and rock based soundtrack. The single 'Too Hot' is also included.