REVIEW -- THE BPA: I THINK WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT

The BPA

I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

(Southern Fried)

The latest project by Norman Cook (a.k.a. Fatboy Slim) began life as a series of warehouse parties he hosted with producer pal Simon Thornton. Visitors included folks as diverse as introspective singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright, new-wave/world-music weirdo David Byrne, aging punk Iggy Pop, and British rapper Dizzee Rascal. The sessions, compiled as I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat, are as mixed as the guest list. Taking a cue from Cook’s big-beat catalog (“The Rockafeller Skank,” “Praise You”), the BPA—it stands for Brighton Port Authority—mix electronic blips and beeps, classic-rock riffs, and pop hooks at dizzying speeds. Things fly by so fast and so furiously, there’s rarely time to notice that Cook loads Bigger Boat with his usual dose of rudimentary samples and brain-aching repetition. “Should I Stay or Should I Blow” bounces along to a swingin’ ’60s beat. “Seattle” is an airy tribute to new beginnings. And “Toe Jam,” featuring Byrne and Dizzee, is playful froth. It all makes for a dance party that was probably a blast to attend. The CD, however, sorta comes off like one of those “All I got was this T-shirt” souvenirs. --Michael Gallucci