Title: Keepsakes and Reflections
Artist: Attrition
Genre: Darkwave
Release Date: 30th October 2009 (Germany)
Label: Two Gods
Album Review
This is a somewhat fascinating album, being as it is a compilation of rarities from the band between the years of 1992-1998. The flavour is therefore somewhat varied, as are the band members involved, since many were previous members to the current line-up working on these tracks.
The album kicks off with some predictable electronica and a sinister 'Kill the poor' voiceover of the DEAD KENNEDY's track before the vocals proper begin and it could be thought cheesy if it weren't for the relentless beat that drives this along and the great hissed vocals. This all continues very nicely then, for me, takes a pop turn as the female vocal comes in. It's a good solid listenable track with edges of nearly everything included which should make the maximum amount of people happy one assumes, but it didn't really hit the mark as a good album opener. The second track, 'Thin Red Line' is altogether slower and meatier than its predecessor and is far more to my taste being far less poppy in feel and having some great vocoded interjections here and there.
'Underpass' (Jon Foxx) is more interesting still and one wonders why they didn't begin with this excellent track because it's a real attention grabber, whilst 'Scenario II' has a desperate, intriguing, and sexy quality to it. I'm not sure whether it's a clap of thunder or a cell door slamming shut, but this next track 'Memory uncaring friend' (Black Tape for a Blue Girl) starts with a very big noise before delivering a killer beat; a very memorable track. 'Kharb' is joint best track on the album, being evocative and wilful in its slow meanderings, and suggesting something ancient and eastern before it gets into its stride. I couldn't see where this was going and I really like that in a track, it kept me surprised. 'Cannibal song' (Ministry) is as dark as its title suggests it might be and the album is definitely rounding out well now with several good tracks on the trot.
It always interests me why someone names an album after one track, but on this album I can see why as in 'Keepsakes and Reflections' clanging discordant pianos thunder against operatic backing and plaintive vocals. I really love this track, it is epic. 'Metamorphosis' wanders along with its viola solo opening a heartbreakingly tragic melody that makes you shiver and I'm beginning to think that this, aside from the first couple of tracks might rank amongst a few truly breathtaking albums then along comes 'High tide' to mess that thought up. It's poppy, schmaltzy and totally out of place after such a good run of truly considered musicianship. 'Thin Red Line's instrumental version gives no surprises whatsoever but with 'Red Letter' we're somewhat back on the right track with something dark and interesting, the gorgeous viola returning behind a very electronic foreground.
This is a long album and by track 13, 'L'echange', I find I'm half full of dread in case a pop sounding track turns up and half on the edge of my seat, hoping for another masterpiece. As it happens this track falls somewhere in the middle of the two and although clearly thought about doesn't grab me in the same way that earlier tracks have. On the other hand the penultimate track, 'Nine tails to follow you' does. It's back with the great piano that works so well and something which sounds like a body being dragged. Like some earlier tracks there are no vocals and it's a very eerie feeling that you are left with. And so finally to 'The Cage' and I'm happy to say that this falls into a the masterpiece category, although only just, there are far better tracks on this album, but none the less it's still intricate and immensely well done. No lyrics just a thundering orchestra of electronica and some operatic backing vocals, but nicely done and it keeps your attention.
This is a hell of a contradiction of an album, some tracks being awe-inspiringly good and some truly not. For the most part it's an excellent album, and if I were to weed out three tracks, mostly the covers they have included of other people's work, it's a stunning album. The sound is fair to good and its well worth buying if you like a sound that's all its own and doesn't really fit neatly into anyone else's box.
Tracklist
01. Kill the poor (Dr Speedlove dub)
02. Thin Red Line (Pankow remix)
03. Underpass (click, click, drone...)
04. Scenario II*
05. Memory, uncaring friend
06. Kharb
07. Cannibal song
08. Keepsakes and reflections
09. Metamorphosis
10. High Tide
11. Thin Red Line (instrumental mix)
12. Red Letter
13. L'echange
14. Nine tails, to follow you round
15. The Cage - refrain
Line-up
Martin Bowes - Voice, electronics, songwriting, lyrics, production
Sin D'rella - Vocals, lyrics, songwriting, production
Plus several additional musicians working on this album
Website
http://www.attrition.co.uk/ / http://www.myspace.com/attritionuk
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
{jos_sb_discuss:19}
