- Many of us have gotten beyond the stage in our listening careers where an entry level house album such as Destroy & Rebuild does the trick, but that's not to say it isn't still a commendable effort that nails its M.O. Davis himself has admitted the LP is primarily concerned with educating excitable EDM fans about the roots of electronic music, and who better to do that than a statesman of his grand standing?
Davis has said that he's battled with pursuing his own big room, EDM approach (not surprising for a man whose done production work for everyone from Christina Milian to Seal) but here he offers a more historical perspective about what house music really is and where it came from. Rather than a stuffy love letter to Chicago, though, Destroy & Rebuild offers all the best aspects of proper house music, but awash with the modern techniques, textures and (sadly) auto-tuned vocals that will appeal to younger ears.
Destroy & Rebuild has it all—deep moments, tougher offerings, acid basslines and vocals that range from diva-esque and vacuous to socially aware and genuinely considered—but everything's packaged in a glossy and accessible aesthetic that will entice the more causal listener. Still, even hardened old heads will find it hard to resist the clean, crisp funk of "Ready," the burrowing, impish spirit of "Synth Interval" or the agitated neon vibes of "Bang Bang." The commercial gloss of the tracks featuring lip-pouting vocals from Terry Dexter fall just the wrong side of right. Generally, though, as an overview of the many facets of house music from someone who has explored them all, Destroy & Rebuild is a success.
Tracklist01. No Justice No Peace
02. Hands Of Love feat. Terry Dexter
03. In God We Trust
04. Let It Go feat. Emmanuel
05. Slide feat. Robert Owens
06. Ready
07. Synth Interval
08. Be Hungry
09. Bang Bang feat. J Noize
10. Lights Come Down feat. Terry Dexter
11. Never Alone feat. Infinite
12. Forever Summer feat. Terry Dexter
13. My Nation feat. Terry Dexter