The Go! Team - Audio Assault Course / 6 Tracks / http://www.thegoteam.co.uk / Reviewed 16 July 2006

This collection of seven track are a number of songs that The Go Team recorded on different college radio stations, along with one remix (the final track, where Kevin Shields remixes “Huddle Formation” and “Lady Flash”. “Huddle Formation” starts off this EP, and for a radio station, the track sounds very well produced. Sure, there is a little bit of noticeable degradation from the original studio tracks, but the added edge that the track is given more than makes up for any weakness that can be levied against the track. The chorus moves from something like Puffy to something that is almost X-Ray Spex in its overall style. “Junior Kickstart” is utterly raunchy in this version, recorded at WERS; the horns com ein like a blend of old soul records and porn soundtrack, while the slight bit of fuzz that surrounds all elements of the track ties everything together that much closer.

The only thing that feels as if it is a weakness on “Junior Kickstart” has to be the instrumental nature of the track. There are vocals that need to be sung over this backdrop; the arrangements are not strong enough during the track to keep individuals listening in and interested. “Bottle Rocket” keeps the funk meets jazz sound of the band (and throws in a late seventies Sugarhill Gang-type of rap to the set of weapons that The Go Team has to choose from). While a number of the tracks in the middle of the disc seemed to show The Go Team as struggling slightly, it is during “We Just Won’t Be Defeated” that the band starts to shine again. The snowballing style of the band is in full effect during the track, and The Go Team are able to do an instrumental breakdown without it sounding trite or any bit week. The chorus is just classic, and I can only imagine what the individuals in attendance must have thought of the perfect performance of the band in KCRW’s studios.

This EP was something handed out to radio stations and zines for review, but the label would do good in putting this disc out for a few dollars. The ability to hear The Go Team do a few different things during the track is something that fans of the act would pay handsomely for. This iis what will have to tide listeners over until the next Go Team album comes out.

Top Track: We Just Won’t Be Defeated

Rating: 7.0/10

[JMcQ]