Brazilian trio Bonde Do Role (comprised of two MCs and a DJ) have been tagged as “the next CSS” in some quarters, although they lack the stylistic finesse of Lovefoxx and company. The band play in the style known as “funk carioca” (meaning “funk from Rio” in Brazilian Portugese), but With Lasers is a largely uninspired mish-mash of electro beats and heavy guitar riffs, and certainly doesn’t boast a tune anywhere near as brilliant as CSS hit ‘Let’s Make And Love And Listen To Death From Above’.
With their thumping rhythms and crunching guitar riffs, Bonde Do Role are actually reminiscent of the no-brainer party music of Andrew WK, albeit with an added lyrical emphasis on lewd sexual acts. Imagine (if you dare) the Bloodhound Gang fronted by Podge and Rodge and you’re getting there. Although the one-dimensional sound quickly becomes wearisome, With Lasers does at least contain one or two interesting moments.
The hip-hop influenced ‘Gasolina’ represents one of the rare occasions on which Bonde Do Role actually succeed in their intention of making the listener want to get up and dance, while the stripped-down electro funk of ‘Caminhao de Gas’ is reminiscent of Beck at his most inspired. Elsewhere, though, it’s slim pickings. The record reaches its nadir on the closing ‘Bondallica’, which, as the title suggests, is comprised of mindless heavy metal riffing and little else.
Still, kudos are at least in order for the sleeve. A shot of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio with lasers emerging from the eyes, it would significantly brighten up many a parish newsletter.