There's worldbeat, and then there's worldbeat. Psychic Karaoke starts off with "Chariot," during the seven-minute course of which you get to hear Middle Eastern percussion, a string section, bruising breakbeats, a Cockney rapper, and Natacha Atlas warbling like a dancehall muezzin. So much for track one. And it only gets better, at least for a while: "Mouth Wedding" is a more Afrocentric outing with a surprising Adrian Sherwood/African Headcharge ambience, and "A Tongue of Flame" is a snaky, satisfying reggae workout. But things start to bog down a bit by the end, and as you approach the 78th minute of this generous album, you might be forgiven for checking to make sure you didn't accidentally hit the "repeat" button on your CD player. Psychic Karaoke is strong and effective medicine, but it's best taken in measured doses.
© Rick Anderson /TiVo