Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale of Audio Bullys like their beats dirty, their vocals raw, and their samples culled from every aspect of the recorded music palette. Part of the new streetwise dance movement of a few years back that included The Streets and Dizzee Rascal, Kingston-Upon-Thames’ ‘Bullys follow up 2003’s Ego War with newbie Generation. Sounding like a mix of Mike Skinner’s aforementioned Streets and Manchester stalwarts Stereo MCs, Generation offers a varied assortment of up and downtempo beat-laden jams to be immersed in. From the first listen, the most memorable moment is the fantastic “Shot You Down”, which samples “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Nancy Sinatra (but which was originally recorded by Cher and written by Sonny Bono). Keen-eared listeners will recognize the Sinatra-voiced version from the Kill Bill soundtrack, but that is hardly the only high point on the album. Madness frontman Suggs turns “This Road” into a vehicle to showcase his pop-leaning wares and the Rocky-training tune “Going The Distance”-sampling “Made Like That”, which features Roots Manuva, also tickles the aural fancy. The blend of tight beats, hook-laden samples, and edgy urban lyricism make Generation a record to be embraced by this generation and a wonderful way to kick off the 2006 listening campaign.

Audio Bullys
Astralwerks

1. The Outer Marker
2. The Outer Marker
3. The Silent Generation
4. Live: Wet Hot American Summer is THE Meatballs For Our Generation
5. Nancy Sinatra