Sometimes I am reminded of PiL at their most pushy, (Double Double Yolk) at other times Health at their most enjoyable. I also see they are enthusiastically compared to Throbbing Gristle, and yes, I can see that too.
These Are Powers – All Aboard Future
http://www.konkurrent.nl/ http://www.deadoceans.com/
I really should have got round to reviewing this earlier, because it’s a tremendous release. I really liked their earlier stuff, but this is by far their most enjoyable, primarily because it sounded like the band had a lot of fun from doing what the bloody hell they liked (and doing it with a lot of confidence too). And it’s bloody different from previous release, Taro Tarot…
The opening track, Easy Answers is a brilliant tribal stomp with a fabulously refined chorus. Parallel Shores and Light after Sound are a marvellous mixes of laid back (if sinister) grooves, mumbled vocals and howling feedback… Discordance pretty much rules on this release, for tracks like Life of Birds, Glass Blocks and Adam’s Turtle, thumps, clangs, samples and chopped up pieces of sound do very nicely for songs, thank you very much. Sometimes I am reminded of PiL at their most pushy, (Double Double Yolk) at other times Health at their most enjoyable. I also see they are enthusiastically compared to Throbbing Gristle, and yes, I can see that too. There are moments where the band surprise you (despite all that’s gone before); I wasn’t expecting anything as quiet and reflective as Sand Tassels either, with it’s attempt at a Liz Frazer-style vocal flourish.
Tremendous stuff, check it out.
Words: Richard Foster