Futureshock - Phantom Theory (2003)

Bosh! Blasting out of Birmingham with a laptop load of sound system rockers come Futureshock.

Long admired by DJs for their ability to produce tracks that fit any type of gap in a mix set, Futureshock finally released a full-length in 2003 on Junior Boy's Own. Although a few of their methods lean uncomfortably close to Underworld (their labelmates on the respected JBO label), the duo of Phil Dockerty and Alex Tepper illustrate their reputation as handy producers to stock in a crate with a set of 12 able productions, each in a different bag. "Another Hit" is a great example of the high-stepping British house track, "Late at Night" an excellent twist on the typically detached, debauched electroclash production, and "Kato's Revenge" a solid mid-tempo breaks track. The duo even jump on the post-club auto atmospherics of Dirty Vegas with "On My Mind" and dip into minimal techno for "Sparc" (and, yes, that's just the first half of Phantom Theory). Setting to one side their schizophrenic production personality, Futureshock don't create any tracks here great enough to rank with the best in any style, but their commitment to everyman dance music is hard to argue with.
However, Phantom Theory isblightedby a dodgy mid section."Satellite" is worth skipping only to avoid the extremely suspicious lyrics; "My body's a container holding water, 99% and not a quarter, you understand I take my bearing from the sun plus, point me in direction like a compass".Yeahhh... rrright. "Pride's Paranoia" is another slightly retro soundingdawdle which doesn't really do much and the attempt at diversity pales in comparison to the first half of the record.
That said, closing with the awesome, stomping, bleeping "Frequency" the Futureshock boys redeem themselves of their crimes against songwriting and celebrate a fine close to asolid debut. Well worth buying for the first half alone.

Tracklist

1. Statikman  (5:54)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
2. Another Hit  (4:47)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
3. Late At Night  (4:42)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
4. Kato's Revenge  (4:32)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
5. On My Mind (5:43)
     Vocals [Featuring] – Ben Onono
     Written-By – Onono, Da Silva 
6. Sparc  (4:20)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper 
7. Satellite (4:01)
    Vocals [Featuring] – Gilly G.
     Phil Dockerty  
8. Fifty One  (3:13)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
9. Pride's Paranoia  (4:10)
    Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
10. Wide Open  (4:33)
      Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper
11. Birdcage (5:11)
      Written-By – Phil Dockerty  
12. Frequency  (5:02)
     Written-By – Phil Dockerty / Alex Tepper

Credits

• Artwork By [Art Direction] – Blue Source
• Edited By, Compiled By – Cheeky Paul
• Mastered By – Jon Dent
• Photography – Dan Holdsworth
• Producer, Mixed By – Alex Tepper, Phil Dockerty
• Written-By – Tepper, Dockerty

Notes

Release Date: May 20, 2003 

Duration: 56:06 

Genre: Electronic

Styles: House, Progressive House, Club/Dance, Techno

Label - Parlophone Records