Come Find Yourself is the debut album by nardnosed noo-yorker rock/rap trio, The Fun Lovin' Criminals. Rap is not really the appropriate term, used only due to the laid back 'spoken word' way in which effortlessly cool frontman Fast delivers his vocals. This album turned many music industry heads when it slipped quietly into '96, going about the task of establishing the band - and itself - as indispensible. Opening track 'Fun Lovin' Criminal' is a taste of what the listener is in for: funky bass riffs, exquisite blues guitar and distinctive style vocals. The song warns 'Stick 'em up punk it's the fun lovin criminal....' and features lines such as 'I steal your girl and I steal your weed!' Next is 'Passive/Aggressive' which pales slightly in comparison to it's predecessor; a slower, more laid back (get used to those words) track which is still listenable. 'The Grave and the Constant' was FLC's debut single, and features the delicate tinkling of ivories, Huey's classic bass lines again supported by some nice guitar licks.

'Scooby Snacks' is the best song on the album, and entered the foray of best single of 96 with aplomb. Featuring some brilliant samples from 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Reservoir dogs' the song follows supposed bank 'job' lines like 'No one gets hurt if they don't act funny' and timeless sample from an aforementioned Tarantino movie which demands 'Are you cool?...I'm cool.' Then of course theres the chorus, superb. 'Smoke 'em' is another classic which revolves around the line 'Smoke 'em if you got em, if you aint got em then you hit rock bottom.' Look out for this as another single, trumpets crash to support the chorus which again, is great.

'Bombin' the L' features an opening guitar riff which is suspiciously similar to 'Smoke on the water' but it just proves that FLC can, and will rock. 'I can't get with that' is another gem, perfect for hazy summer days this is a laidback floating tune. 'King of New York' the bands fourth single ups the pace considerably, another insight into the New York criminal underworld. Fast sings 'Ladidadi free John Gotti'. Trumpets are again utilised to the chorus and the song also sports a distinctly blusey feel, for basey player of the year read 'Huey' a la FLC.

To finish off any waverers next offering, a cover of the timeless Louis Armstrong classic 'We have all the time in the world' is brilliant , it could well be cheesy, a cringeworthy disaster but the bands natural 'elan', with Fasts husky voclas combine to save and indeed crown the song! 'Bear hug' is a mean,moody, more rap orientated song which slightly grates on the nerves. Then that's why cd players have skip buttons. 'Crime and Punishment' is a complicated song which rambles on too long. Then 'Methadonia' saves the day, with a superb intro on an instrument I cannot place. A good song, with lines like 'I pity the punks that take part in the madness..'

'I can't get with that (schmoove version)' is considerably different than the other version, and Fast sounds his usual self as he croons this number. We get sax, we get bass, close your eyes and you're in the seedy bronx. Finally 'Coney Island girl' starts quietly with some licks from the master hand of Fast, then Steves bass drum asserts itself and the song swaggers into mode.

The album is a potential classic , let down slightly by it's tendency to ramble. I await further material from FLC eagerly.

Reviewed by Steve O'Keeffe