Maybe it's the overall mediocrity of The Secret Handshake's latest release, Night & Day, or maybe it's just me, but I found this album a little difficult to appreciate (ok, it's definitely the former). There is nothing special about this album. Sure, it's got that nice, nostalgic Motown feel to it but the songs have the same old generic, pop subject matter - falling in and out of love, heart break, you know the drill. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome and completely respectable to see any artist taking such a great risk with their music, but it's pretty lackluster.
One of the only songs that actually did stick out to me was "Domino". The piano and background singers are infectious to say the least and the chorus will be stuck in your head for days. Another track, "Black Girl", seriously made me say, "The fuck?" out loud the first time I heard it but it's catchy and fun nonetheless.
Between the good, the bad and the weird, this album is really only good to dance to and it severely lacks substance. The only way you'll remember these songs is if and when they get stuck in your head.
3 out of 5 [SB]