I think we're gonna need a bigger boat

The BPA, or to give it its full title, The Brighton Port Authority, is the latest project of the man with the name ‘Quentin Cook’ on his birth cert. From Housemartin, to Norman, to Fatboy Slim, the DJ has invented more aliases in his time than a confused runaway. This venture, named for his adopted city of residence, is his much-touted project involving a host of guest ‘stars’, some who shine more brightly than others.
Instead of being any sort of original concept, though, I Think We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat comes across as a feeble attempt at emulating an Avalanches and Mark Ronson collaboration, without the horns. Even the presence of greats like Iggy Pop (on a cover of ‘80s post-punks The Monochrome Set’s ‘It’s Frank’) and David Byrne (who, with Dizzee Rascal, contributes ‘Toe Jam’, the best track here – although it’s very ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’) can’t rescue these eleven tracks from banality.
The contrast in quality is one of this album’s main faults, too: placing established artists like Pop, Byrne and Martha Wainwright alongside nobodies Olly Hite, Connan Mokasin and Pete York just serves to enhance the peculiarity of the whole project. At best, this is listenable. At worst, it’s like a concoction of Babylon Zoo and UB40 performing at a 60th birthday party. Now 45 years old, it does make you wonder whether this is Cook’s ‘mid-life crisis’ album, but it’s indubitably one that would been best left in the bin beside the drawing board.

Key Track: 'Toe Jam'