music review

::: Various Artists ::: "anchorage elektro Vol.1"

+ + + electronic-body-music (e.b.m.) + + +

This CD contains a track each by 4 bands from the Alaskan underground. They all have a very distinct dark-quirky-electro sound, yet they compliment each other - is this a unique Alaskan sound, developed in stark geographic isolation from the rest of the world?

1/. Parallaxl's "Sacrifice" is a looping piece with multi-layered drum programs, noises and howls with the repeating refrain "here comes the chopper to chop off your head!" (a sample from George Orwell's "1984")

2/. Bytet's "Mary Mary" is like late-60s psyche-pop meets e.b.m. with crooning male vox.

3/. "Body Work" by Lady of Darkness features harpsichords in syncopated flamenco rhythm, crooning gallant male vocals and swirling synth lines, while

4/. Crack Machine presents "Oblivion", a driving e.b.m. piece which at times is almost like Kraftwerk meets Pankow doing a cover of that "popcorn" song.

Overasll, 4 tracks, 20 minutes.

Released by Magnetic Resonance, 23784 State Road 2, South Bend, IN, 46619, USA E-mail: [email protected], Web: members.aol.com/mresonance/mr.htm