Outernational Sound
Getting back to their turntables after the all-original work on 2002'sThe Richest Man in Babylon, Thievery Corporation dust off a collection of soulful wax forThe Outernational Sound. Rob Garza and Eric Hilton have gone with an increasingly organic approach since their relatively electronic and modernMirror Conspiracy, looking more back than forward. Happily, the duo has good taste. If that wasn't obvious after the collections onBabylonand 2001'sSounds from the Verve Hi-Fi,Outernationalends the argument. The record rambles through Brazilian jazz, afro-beat, and a kaleidoscope of funked-up rhythms that only a serious purveyor of world beat chill tunes could unearth. Their big ears, however, can't always keep up with their DJ skills; 20 tracks are smooshed into just over an hour, and you can feel Garza and Hilton sweating to make the different musical bloodlines congeal. You'll likely find yourself playing only sections of the record, depending on your mood. Still, whatever section you settle on should supply a hearty dose of satisfaction. --Matthew Cooke