Camping Shaabi [Slimline] (CD - 2008)

Personnel: David Bovée (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Veronique Vincent, Ghalia Benali (vocals); Tobe Wouters (whistling, trombone); Eric Morel (saxophone); Marc Hollander (piano); François Faure (Fender Rhodes piano); Tomas de Smet (synthesizer, double bass, electric bass, background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Roel Poriau; Yann Arnaud.

Recording information: Reanimator Studios, Borgerhout; Studio Caraibes.

Photographer: Guy Kokken.

As time wears on, it appears as though it's becoming increasingly more difficult to come up with a unique spin on rock music. But every so often, an artist comes out of seemingly nowhere to offer a pleasant surprise. Case in point, Think of One and their 2008 release, Camping Shaâbi. Although the group hails from Belgium (the town of Antwerp, to be exact), Think of One certainly has a thing for world music, specifically a style dubbed "Moroccan Shaâbi," which is best described as a form of Middle Eastern-sounding alt pop-dance. However, Think of One manage to put their own unique spin on it, as they inject unmistakable elements of rock into the proceedings, as well as vocals that blend Arabic, French, and Antwerp's own Flemmish dialect together. What you get is a style that works more times than not -- including such standouts as the electro call-and-response opener, "J'étais Jetée" and the moody, slowly building rocker, "Hamdushi Five." Admittedly, there are a few misfires (including the done-to-death rap shtick on "Oppressor"), but if you're a fan of the artists who show up on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, there's a fair chance that Think of One may be your favorite new band upon discovering Camping Shaâbi. ~ Greg Prato minimize