3-LockBox
03-10-2004, 10:08 PM
First off, I have to say I can see why this CD is so polarizing among Crim fans. Myself, I think its got its strong points. The instrumental tracks on this disc are the best <b>KC</b> has done in years, way better than the instrumentals on <i>Thrak</i>. They are much more structured and coherent, and don't seem to meander like some past instrumentals (well maybe 'Level Five' does). 'Elektrik', and 'The Power To Believe' are great tracks in the <b>KC</b> tradition, albeit "enhanced" with a little electronica (of course, YMMV). 'Dangerous Curves' sounds like Alan Parsons joined <b>Cabaret Voltaire</b> and its pure elektronika(again, YMMV).
The weak spots here oddly enough are the vocal tracks, that is, the vocals themselves. There is some weird kinda processing done to Belews vocals, so much so that you wouldn't think they were Adrian, but some new guy. Certainly, these effects might be appropriate on a song like 'Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With', which seems to be taking a swipe at death metal, but are down right irritating on the other tracks, like 'Facts Of Life', which is somewhat out of character for a <b>KC</b> song. In 'fact', it sounds like something <b>Spock's Beard</b> woulda done ( in fact, the vocal reminds me of Neil Morse on the song 'Cake Walk On Easy Street' -so do the lyrics). Maybe Ade's voice can't keep up on the scorching rockers any more (where's Max Bacon when ya nee'im?). 'Happy' is ok the first or second time you hear it, but the joke wears thin after that. 'Eyes Wide Open' is a good song reminiscent of 'Walking On Air' or 'One Time', but the vocal effect is still present, just not as much.
I'd have to say I'd be weary of recommending this to anyone but a Crim fan. Its not dance enough for most fans of techno, not dark enough for goth rock, and it isn't jazz/rock fusion enough for old school proggers. Its a crap shoot. I like it and I'm a recent convert.
Here's what I intend to do: combine most of the instrumental tracks of <i>PTB</i> and the vocal tracks of <i>Thrak</i> on CD-R.
YMMV = your music may vary
The weak spots here oddly enough are the vocal tracks, that is, the vocals themselves. There is some weird kinda processing done to Belews vocals, so much so that you wouldn't think they were Adrian, but some new guy. Certainly, these effects might be appropriate on a song like 'Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With', which seems to be taking a swipe at death metal, but are down right irritating on the other tracks, like 'Facts Of Life', which is somewhat out of character for a <b>KC</b> song. In 'fact', it sounds like something <b>Spock's Beard</b> woulda done ( in fact, the vocal reminds me of Neil Morse on the song 'Cake Walk On Easy Street' -so do the lyrics). Maybe Ade's voice can't keep up on the scorching rockers any more (where's Max Bacon when ya nee'im?). 'Happy' is ok the first or second time you hear it, but the joke wears thin after that. 'Eyes Wide Open' is a good song reminiscent of 'Walking On Air' or 'One Time', but the vocal effect is still present, just not as much.
I'd have to say I'd be weary of recommending this to anyone but a Crim fan. Its not dance enough for most fans of techno, not dark enough for goth rock, and it isn't jazz/rock fusion enough for old school proggers. Its a crap shoot. I like it and I'm a recent convert.
Here's what I intend to do: combine most of the instrumental tracks of <i>PTB</i> and the vocal tracks of <i>Thrak</i> on CD-R.
YMMV = your music may vary