This is the Aloof's fourth
album to be released but their first after being dropped from
their old record label East West. Now on their own label after
their last album, 1998's extremely chart-unfriendly but
ultimately satisfying 'Seeking Pleasure', bombed, 'This Constant
Chase For Thrills' should mean that at least The Aloof don't have
to bow to the pressures of producing hits anymore. The lyrical
themes on offer are much the same as before, conveying the
ugliness and beauty of today's consumerist society as songs with
titles such as 'Doing It For Money' and 'Painted Face' would
suggest. Where this album differs though is that many of the
melodies which were the forte of their last two albums seem to
have disappeared and a lot of it just sounds like mood music. In
fact, the longest song here, the 10-minute plus 'Good Morning
World' is actually very boring and drags for at least 7 minutes
too long. Elsewhere the opening salvo of 'So Good' and 'Doing It
For Money' (appearing in remix form later in the album as well)
hit the required foot-tapping beats and 'Painted Face' is the
nearest we get to a bona-fide single whereas 'Infatuated' is
misery personfiied. The sound is still theirs but more
bittersweet melodies next time please, gentlemen.