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45 SELF, "Aztec Gameshow Death Ritual"

I find it hard to choose the proper words to describe this album as themore I listen to it the more I like it. There is a wide variety ofsounds balanced by a strong conceptual theme. This provides an ongoingsteady flow which makes it easy to concentrate on nearly anythingbesides questioning the soundtrack-ish qualities of the album.
Packedin a c-shell case, the design leaves one with only a few hints but thesong titles. The web site provides more information about the musiciansand instruments, however. A sparse, relaxed atmosphere opens thisalbum. Live drums merge with synthesizers, a W.S. Burroughs quote getsthrown in, analog sounds and an old drum machine jump into action as aninteresting (yet undistracting) sound wall evolves. The album proceedsin a slightly morbid mood—not really unexpected with the title thisalbum bears. 45 Self offers a well-crafted variety settled somewherebetween the joyful use of any available sound source (somewhatremeniscent of older Severed Heads) and an overall distant attitude(not unlike early Factory bands like A Certain Ratio or Section 25).What I especially like is the way they use vocals as integral parts ofthe pieces—never placed in the foreground but working as an effectivesubliminal addition.
'Atzec Gameshow Death Ritual' is an original piece of work I recommendwholeheartedly. The duo consits of Matt Nevomanta (drums, percussion,bells, beats, loops, Moog, analog synths, sound effects, guitars, bass,voices, piano, and samples) and Mike Sullivan (Analog synths, Theremin,sound effects, Moog, airwave, samples, bells, percussion, and voices).It's (up to now) only available via www.45self.8m.com.

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