Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)

Those of you who've been keeping an eye on the Elton John-endorsed Groove Armada (our Elt famously bought 100 copies of their last album, Vertigo, to distribute to his mates) will have noticed two possibly alarming changes: 1) Their recent output (DJ-wise and remixes) has been decidedly boshing and 2) They haven't been much good. Recent single 'Superstylin'', a braindead ragga-house belter and this album's suggestive title back up the question – have Groove Armada, like everybody else, gone large?

Have they hell. 'Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)' sounds exactly like you'd expect it to – enjoyably, frustratingly nice . From the wishy-washy opener 'Suntoucher', to the stringy Jean Michel Jarre jam that is 'Lazy Moon' it's all very… pleasant. And while the funky breakbeats of 'Fogma', the sweeping strings of 'Edge Hill' and the soulful 'Little By Little' are genuinely memorable, the overall effect comes too close to Now That's What I Call Ibiza Chill Out for comfort.

Like Rae and Christian before them, Groove Armada have made a career out of inoffensive music. It'll appeal to exactly the same people who bought the duo’s last album – the casual dance fan who’s happy to consume whatever's on the coffee table this month. Nowt wrong with that, but there is better music out there. It just depends on how deep you want to dig. Elton, though, will love it.