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Thanks to a reference on last night’s 30 Rock, I finally feel empowered to bring out the C & C Music Factory tag, as well as a bunch videos from the Robert Clivillés and David Cole-led act’s one noteworthy album. It feels good to finally cross this off my blogging “to do” list.
I have some sincere affection for C & C Music Factory, and was briefly excited to hear one of their non-”Gonna Make You Sweat” songs on the radio the other day. But that appreciation ends with “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm,” the least enjoyable remnant of the Arsenio age.
But in a way, I think I have to thank the pop hits of 1991 for finally pushing me over the edge and spending more time buying random albums at my area indie record store instead of working the new-release wall at the Wherehouse. It’s easy to forget looking back, but for two weeks back in those days, “The First Time” by Surface was No. 1.
Listening to that track and “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” back to back, it seems obvious that a record like Screamadelica might be slightly more personally relevant than one featuring a workout-obsessed shirtless rapper over translated for pop radio club beats, but at the time, it was quite a transition. I still regret trading a PM Dawn cassette for a copy of Spiderland (a significant downgrade), but you can’t win them all. Certainly, I’m glad I didn’t stick around for C&C’s follow up record, which featured the reputation-sullying “Take A Toke.” Keep it clean, C&C. There are kids around!
Regardless, if Martha Wash is commanding you to dance now, what choice do you have? Even if it’s someone lipsynching Martha’s vocals, the order still counts.
C+C Music Factory [MTV]
Freedom Williams [MySpace]
Have you heard the Max Justus remix?
This might have been the first album I bought with my own money. Glad to see you led off with “Here We Go, Let’s Rock & Roll,” it was always my favorite track. But, hoo boy, it sure doesn’t hold up.
Freedom did have great abs, though.
I won a singing contest on the bus in fifth grade singing Things That Make You Go Hmmm… Which wasn’t as impressive as the one the year before, when I won for Because I Love You (The Postman Song).
Although you know I just realized must be the worst job ever? Driving a bus full of fourth and fifth graders who decide to have singing contests every day.
The hits of 1990-91 go a long way toward explaining why Nirvana happened.
We work hard, and we play hard.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaah…FREEDOM!
@Chris Molanphy: It’s funny cuz it’s true.
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