Despite their odes to dirty basses, at Prudential Center on Friday night, LMFAO opening act and dance wannabes showed their roots, with a mid-set tribute to the Beastie Boys and MCA. The week MCA died you couldn't throw a brick without hearing a band pay their respects. but that was then and all these weeks later only Far East Movement have kept it in the set with an excellent cover of "So What;cha Want". FEM used a sample off the song on "So What".
The band, which includes a drummer and keyboard player, as well as three rappers/singers, all Asian-Americans, proved their hip hop roots were rule, while maintaining an LMFAO Junior vibe, not quite fair for a band that's been around for a decade. It gave the band a way to shine a little more diffused than the rest of the set, a very well received, very well received, 45 minutes of modern dance pop.
They were better than I expected, skimming the cream of the cuts, they shuffled their set, opening with "I Party" and building to a full throated very dirty bass "Girls On The Dancefloor" before a shockingly great "Like A G6" -the ghostly hue of the single, was completely transformed on stage. It was a remix of a remix and as perfect as you will ever here. FEM took the band and shook it hard.
Almost as great was the new single "Live Your Life", with a Justin Bieber sample looped in the background, and a cool hot rap with Kev Nish Prohgress and H-Splif trading off lines. The three take up the entire stage and never stand still for a moment. They've been working on their new album for 18 months and are pleased to have some new songs to share and it shows with a well rounded, well managed set.
It did what it was meant for: while I did like Dirty Bass I now love it and while I had considered Far East Movement somewhat average, I now consider them serious contenders. They've taken their love for hip hop, arranged it for three voices, and not been afraid to go for the sweet spot whether it be echoy bass or chick contenders. An ambitious, admirable band.
Grade: B+