Bringing to Your Attention
Today, I'd like to introduce yet another new segment. "Bringing to Your Attention" will be "Bringing to Your Attention" some new artists that may be a bit underground, or even some albums from artists that haven't been talked about much lately. That's about all the introduction, so here's the first one!
Pop. 1280 - Paradise
Genre: Industrial Rock
Pop. 1280 is a band that I think many on this forum will instantly fall in love with. The band's sound nomrally consists of a Post-Punkish to Noise Rockish sort of sound, which both are very evident in the band's first two albums, "The Horror" and "Imps of Perversion". Both albums provide a nice, clean sound, which may even be preferable for some. However, the album I'm highlighting here is their newly released "Paradise".
Paradise is a step forward for the band, incorporating Industrial into their list of influences. I'd be lying if I said that this album doesn't remind me of early Killing Joke. An Industrial-ish, very post-punk band, which put a bit more emphasis on the post-punk. If you want to listen to a gothic rock album here, you'll be disappointed, as this one isn't so much sad as it is angry at the world.
Throughout the albums 9 sprawling tracks, there is an ever present sense of instability. As if the very ground underneath your feet will break open at any moment. The heavy, looping drums sound like hammers driving into your coffin. On the subject of coffins, this is one of the darkest albums I've ever heard. The lyrics and vocals are all about the break down of traditions and common occurences, and in general the disintegration of the mind and body, and the vocals themselves are almost growled in their aggression. The guitars forcefully back up the drums, as a wall of sound takes over. There are also always some effects placed on top, shaking up the guitar, and synth-ing everything. There are certainly some actual synths in there as well.
It's hard for me to single out just a couple favorite tracks, though I can certainly eke them out. The opening track, "Pyramids on Mars", with its simple drumline, is hypnotizing and even creepy. "USS ISS" is a fast-paced gothic number where the dissonant guitar line weaves in and out, creating another eerie mood. "Rain Song" is a good example of the band's more experimental side, with the opening ambience building up to a rather subdued climax. And I have to mention "The Last Undertaker", if only for that synth sound ripped right out of the handbook of Boards of Canada.
Overall, Paradise is an album really worth taking a look at if you're a fan of early industrial as well as the later Industrial Rock movement. But be warned, this is an album that will attempt to crush you with raw emotion. It's an excellent tribute to the sound of the 80s, viewed through the pipeline with a modern critical eye.