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Tussle – Cream Cutshttp://www.konkurrent.nl/ http://www.tussle.org/
Nice LP this, if a little perfunctory at times. Still, don’t let my nit-picking stop you from checking out a perfectly decent and fun dance record. You can cut some rug to it no doubt. Whilst things do at times feel a little constrained there’s enough excitement in opening tracks of Saturnis and Transparent C set you up nicely for some toe-tapping later on. And what do you know? At times I was very much reminded of Hamburg’s long forgotten Blech (who also made interesting, quirky dance records with references thrown around, seemingly at random); and an act who remind me of Blech must have something going for them.
I do like the sound Tussle have; it’s rich and warm, and possessing enough rough edges to make it a satisfying listen. And despite its “interesting” moniker, this music does possess a heart. I do find the Krautrock-isms a bit too reverential, and if you’re going to “do” Krautrock (especially the T-Dream-isms and the nods to Rodelius that seem to crop up regularly) you might as well go the whole hog and go all the way. Otherwise you end up sounding like Eno with Lanois.
It’s still a strange record, maybe not as much as the sum of it’s influences, or maybe a little in awe of them. When they let their hair down (as on the marvellous Third Party) they get into “wanton and excited” Teardrop Expoldes territoy (I’m thinking specifically of the chugging groove the Teardrop’s East of the Equator, or the Tunnel has). And I did enjoy the use of noise they nicked from Blondie’s Angels in the Balcony.
Admittedly this is the only LP I’ve heard of theirs, but I’d love to see what’d happen if they attempted long strung out pieces. Here’s hoping.
Words: Richard Foster