A Lively Mind

If the often vivacious follow up to the 2002 debut Bunkka indicates Oakenfold does indeed have a lively mind, then it's one which has ceased to direct its abundant energy in progressive directions.
From duplicating Bodyrockers' 'I Like The Way You Move' on lead single 'Faster Kill Pussycat' to the old skool and by now derivative hip-hop of 'Set It Off', the superstar DJ sounds unfailingly dated and uninspired throughout. A shame, because for the most part he's built his reputation around consistently pushing electronic music in new and prodigious directions.
Of course, the cynical will say that these days the Londoner is veering more towards soundtrack and advertisement work, and A Lively Mind is full of mainstream electro stompers (the Brittany Murphy-assisted single and New Order-tinged 'No Compromise') and commercial-friendly tunes (the infectious 'Feed Your Mind'), which serve to only add fire to such cynicism.
Yet in taking this as Oakenfold's goal - and thus dropping expectations of innovation - A Lively Mind satisfies in part. The disco-centric 'Sex 'n' Money', breaks free from the monotoned electro of the album's openers, whilst 'Switch On' takes its lead from T-Rex's '20th Century Boy' and laces it with hardcore trance and spy movie theme tunes.
Elsewhere 'Save The Last Trance For Me' finds Oakenfold at his epic best, building a monster up to a ferocious climax. Overall however, while A Lively Mind might boost Oakenfold's mainstream appeal, it comes at the cost of a dent to his reputation.