Brainwashed

28 January 2001

Carl Thien

Albums and Singles

"PARIS VU PAR"

A compilation from Cherry Orchard's record label in France. Like Bambini's 'Mystery Date Game' and 'Voyage Romanesque' and Invicta Hi-Fi's 'Special Skool' comps this record attempts to create the cool atmosphere that Siesta and El Records have done on their international pop compilations, with just a dash of the electronic pop that J-pop specializes in so well. Every band wrote a song about Paris just for this compilation. For me the 2 standout tracks are the Baxendale cut "The New Parisienne Pop And Soul" and The Cherry Orchard's "We Could Fall In Love". These 2 tracks are classics of each of the bands that are exclusive to this disc. Baxendale remain one of my very fave bands of 2000. Le Hammond Inferno sound very J-pop on the instrumental "Stylostumpt". The track sounds very familiar though I can't place from where. It is very energetic and catchy. Merrick's (from Munich) do a pretty good song "Fur Paris gilt das Nicht" that is nice even though it's not one of my faves. It almost sounds like a mellower Francoise Cactus (of Stereo Total) singing. She even says "Crazy Horse" (the title of a Stereo Total song from 'Juke-Box Alarm') in the lyric of the track.

28 January 2001

Mark Weddle

Albums and Singles

PSYCHIC ENEMIES NETWORK "VALIS"

Geographically seperated brothers John and Matt Thorne are Psychic Enemies Network. "Valis" further explores the psycho-sonic territory initially tapped on their 1998 self released, self titled debut. Their music comes from a wide range of world percussion (djemba, toas drum, african kettle, elephant bell, hand percussion, etc.), guitar, bass, trumpet (by David Chapman), synths, sequences and samples. The mix is contained to a point, never allowed to boil over into the red, and a feeling of slightly unsettling transcendence is present throughout. Quite a bit of thought seems to be going in to it all too as track titles reference such varied topics as irregular heart actions, Philip K. Dick novels, henna painting and geographical projections. "Arhythmia" begins as a warm ambient loop later adding exotic rhythms and background samples for a sound similar to late '80s Muslimgauze. "Come Crumbling" is a murky mix of voices and trumpet drone. "Sandfall" perfectly marries shimmering loops with pan melodies, female backing vocals and a deep electro-bass groove. "Tilted Earth" builds a hypnotic wall of sound from trumpet wails, finger cymbals, bells and chimes. "Bowl Cut" is a mildly funky blend of jazz drumming and quirky synth riffs. "Radio Free Albemuth (altman)" amusingly cuts and pastes samples culled from various musical projects the Thornes have been involved in for some Nurse With Wound-like fun. "Valis" beautifully accentuates swirling ambient guitar and samples with light brushed snare and subtle trumpet playing. "Mehendi" swings a little with a jazzy rhythm and moody bass. "8/7/96" rips and tears audio fragments over a few looped notes of clean guitar. And "Gnomonic" concludes the album as it began with a quiet, albeit rhythmic, loop. Altogether "Valis" is varied, flows well and shows a studied progression. Psychic Enemies Network have definitely found their niche! Up next is a series of side projects under the 'Psychic Enemies Network Presents' umbrella including Para!Helion "Midaq Alley" (with John Thorne and David Chapman - more of a straightforward world music project, also recommended) and Fez Dispenser (with Matt Thorne). Info may be found at www.browser.to/psychicenemiesnetwork/ .

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21 January 2001

Administrator

Albums and Singles

From a small label in Holland comes this amazingly priced double CD set, a singles compilation from Scott Engel, John Maus and Gary Leeds, who are most commonly known as Scott, John and Gary Walker. The collection grabs 45 A-sides and popular hits from the trio both together and in solo form, stretching from 1965 through 1981.The Brothers' own brand of kitchy love and anthemic pop has manifested into numerous timeless classics. Marc Almond, Magnetic Fields, Pizzicato Five and David Bowie all owe notable portions of their careers to the influence of the Walker Brothers. Cover tunes of their hits can also be heard from people as diverse as Donna Summer, Chris Connelly and Dead Can Dance's Brendan Perry. This compact collection serves as a great career retrospective and would make a great addition to any newbie or current fan's CD shelves as the artwork and liner notes also provide a global perspective of their international success.

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There Goes My Baby (the Walker Brothers)
Jackie (Scott Walker)
The Electrician (the Walker Brothers)

21 January 2001

Mark Weddle

Albums and Singles

The latest release from Labradford's Chicago resident, Mark Nelson takes the form of 12" vinyl from BSI Records of Portland, OR. This 12" (limited to 2000 copies) provides 24 minutes with 2 exclusive tracks mastered by BSI's mix maven Sound Secretion. Unlike his superb full length albums on Kranky, Pan•American singles (including the 10" on Kraak and 12" split on Fat-Cat) are truly solo efforts devoid of contributions from other players.Without a lead instrument (like a trumpet or voice on last year's '360 business/360 bypass') the sound resembles Chain Reaction-styled dub spaciousness, only more incredibly deep and emotionally fulfilling. "East Coast Bugs" churns like a locomotive through the backwoods ... a techno-dub bass throb is accompanied by another solid bass line, electronic twinkles and the slight murmur of an insect filled night. "Esso" is slower and more melodic, coupling subtle beatbox rhythm with massive low end. Both are simply gorgeous. If you don't plop down the $9 for this, there's something wrong with you ... - Mark Weddle (with Jon Whitney)

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21 January 2001

Administrator

Albums and Singles

Bryn Jones passed away 2 years ago last week and his music lives on.Originally released free of charge as mp3s, "Fedayeen" returns as aproper limited edition on compact disc via Russian label TantraHarmonies. It comes in 2 flavors, collectable and uber-collectable: 850in color gatefold sleeve and 150, numbered, in lion logo green slipsleeve. Being around $20 and $25, respectively, and the fact that themp3s are tucked away on many a hard drive and cd-r, this disc isessentially for the must have everything folks. Jones was at anunprecedented level of prolificness in 1998-9 with 35 or so releases.The 8 tracks here (most in the 10 to 12 minute range, 61 total) sharethe same repetitious characteristics: hand percussion and crunchyelectronic loops, sample cut and paste (dialogue, bird calls, water),strings, etc. in a variety of styles: 'traditional', drum 'n bass,techno and overdriven glitch-hop. The length of these tracks makes themboth hypnotic and tedious at times but, nonetheless, qualityMuslimgauze. Of special note are "Mustafas Cassette Market Marrakesh",a blurred d 'n b blend, "Abu Salim, Tripoli", a slower techno journey,"Bharboo Of Pakistan Railways", an electro-bleep loop and "Old ArabRecord Not On Compact Disc" which regurgitates bits from old slabs ofscratchy arabic vinyl. And yes, this does sound better in cd ratherthan mp3 quality. "Melt", the sister mp3 release from 1998, will alsobe re-released as a 12" EP via BSI Records next month .

21 January 2001

Administrator

Albums and Singles

This Belgian duo consists of John Sellekaers and C-Drik, whose production and performance has appeared on releases from Torsion, Ambre and Snog. The debut release has taken three forms, but the one in my hands is the German CD edition. It starts off being a rather powerful foray into aggressive modern dark drum and bass.

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The assault is a feverish cold-calculated digital one, but most impressively the joy builds. After four original tracks, the album changes from a seemingly faceless, heartless power jam to a charming musical adventure. The second half includes excellent manifestations by Imminent and Silk Saw, a rather lukewarm remix by Panacea, as well as the atmospheric original "Reptiles in Paradise." Fans beware: the four-track German 12" release includes reprogrammed versions of the first two songs, not available on the CD and the 9-track US version on Gun Music only has five overlapping tracks.

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14 January 2001

Mark Weddle

Albums and Singles

Opium Jukebox is MartinAtkins (Pigface, The Damage Manual, Invisible Records) and BobdogCatlin (ex-Evil Mothers, Pigface, Pseudo Buddha) and a dozen othermusician friends. This cd is a contemporary covers album: Nirvana"Smells Like Teen Spirit", NIN "Head Like a Hole", Gary Numan "Cars","Ball of Confusion", Jane's Addiction "Been Caught Stealing", EMF"Unbelievable", "Tainted Love", Devo "Whip It" and Dead or Alive "YouSpin Me Right Around".

I know what you're thinking ... horrid'industrial' or paint by numbers covers, right? No, fortunately. Thiscollective barely keeps the paint within the lines with their veryloose instrumental interpretations. Think exotic/erotic strings andrhythms and analog synth and beat programming (courtesy of Lee 'Bagman'Fraser - Sheep on Drugs, The Damage Manual) shrouded in Middle Easternmystical ambiance. These very familiar songs slide by in an almostunfamiliar haze ... melodies played by Bobdog on sitar are about theonly remaining identifiable element from the originals. A wide array ofpercussion and vibes keep the time and various flavors are added bydijeridu, horns, guitar, bass, violin, etc. About half the songs leapout of the speakers with more pronounced drums and electronics whilethe others maintain a more mellow groove. You've heard them a milliontimes before but you've never heard them quite like this. I'm not sureif this is a joke or what (funny title) but as a covers album it's agreat idea that's superbly executed and as an album in it's own it'seven better. I hope they do more covers or originals someday ... - Mark Weddle

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14 January 2001

Daniel Barychko

Albums and Singles

I am amazed at the madgenius that is Richard H. Kirk, once again he manages to blur the linebetween music and noise as entertainment in a very thought-provkingmanner.

Kirk expands on ideas from more recent works including,"Loopstatic" and "Darkness at Noon"; using found sounds, sampled mostlyfrom shortwave radio, mixed with his signature "Clonk" and tribalrhythms. This time almost the entire song structure is built up fromthese odd test tones, crackles and overheard conversations. It is evenless synth-based than before, the samples ARE the instruments and Kirkputs these cut-up fragments together to invoke a cacophony of chaoticcomplexity reminiscent of an automated factory assembly line or thebridge of the Starship Enterpise.
Underneath an all-out barrage of sequenced sensorium and subsonic boomswe are spoonfed bytes of intercepted fascism - but we are toocaptivated by the "blinking lights" and weird noises to percieve all ofwhat is being said. Similar to recent works, the layered arrangementsgive you the feeling that something sinister is lurking behind thishappy industrial mayhem, something ominous, calculated and not easilydistracted. Is it music or noise with a beat?? You won't hear thismusic in any commericals and that's a good thing. For me, it has alwaysbeen about one's expectations- meeting Kirk's latest ideas andapproach. I notice every Kirk release has a particular quality to it—heobviously employs slightly different strategies, techniques andinstrumentation from one to the next—but he isn't interested inreinventing himself, just exploring new ideas and directions. He's atrue revolutionary 'artiste'. Remember that Al Jabr cover, I've oftenthought that we (his fans) are the hostages and Kirk is holding the gunto our head- ready to take us for a little ride, it may get rough, somemay be lost, but perhaps he'll return us safely and go back to makingthe slick techno he used to after the final installment of this trilogy(and we pay his ransom),...
To sum up my thoughts: I like this "Blacworld" CD. The seminalindustrial artist, the visonary "Dark Magus" of modern music has openeda window to a futuristic reality of technologic overload; of increasingsocio-political interconnection and manipulation at the dawn of theelectronic age. Take a look. - Daniel Barychko

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14 January 2001

Mark Weddle

Albums and Singles

Remember Tricky? Theformer music media darling amicably parted ways withPolygram/Island/Def Jam in 1999 and now calls Epitaph branch Anti homealongside Tom Waits and Merle Haggard. Mission accomplished? This UK EP(also due out February 6th in the States) gives us a little over 16minutes with 3 new songs and 1 previously unreleased old one.

The soundis similar to the live guitar/bass/drums band setup of the precedingalbums "Juxtapose" and "Angels With Dirty Faces". The title trackcenters around a heavy guitar riff and Peter Gabriel's "big time, I'mon my way I'm making it big time" lyric sung by Tricky and another malevocalist, ad nauseum. Halfway through the 3 minutes it becomes apparentthat this is all the track has to offer. "Crazy Claws" begins promisingwith a lively snare loop, sexy bass line, and Tricky's whispered poetryabout a certain female. Unfortunately, a few minutes in two otherrappers take over (the first possibly being Mad Dogg from "Juxtapose",judging by the heavy British accent) and ruin it. "Tricky Versus Lynx(Live)" must be 'live in the studio' and I'm unsure of Tricky'sinvolvement as the only one rapping is someone other than Tricky. It'sthe weakest of the 3 new songs. Why Tricky relies on these guys isbeyond me ... their vocals pale in comparison to Tricky's and theirbraggadocio rhymes are tired and unnecessary. "Divine Comedy" wasoriginally released as a white label 12" in 1998 as reaction to racistcomments made by a Polygram executive and later became the morepolished and superior "Money Greedy" on "Angels..". Altogether the EPis very disappointing with half-assed outtake quality ideas and onlysmall glimmers of Tricky's lyrical and musical potential. Hopefully thedebut album for Anti out this summer will reclaim some or all ofTricky's past glory ...

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14 January 2001

Jon Whitney

Albums and Singles

Slammin' mutherfuckingballsy-ass shit. This debut CD release is probably the most excitedI've been about a new rock-genred band in as long as I can remember.The energy is fierce, the music is fast, funky and full of wakka wakkaguitars, crazy effects, beefy bass chops, electronic and organic drums,wild cheering, hoards of percussion and a splash of horns.