music reviews
::: Things Outside the Skin (T.O.T.S.) ::: "God in a Box"
industrial-rock
TOTS are from Chicago and continue the tradition of raw-hide robotic
yet somehow funky industrial electro as developed by such outfits as
The Revolting Cocks. Comparisons can also be made with the Beastie Boys,
Babyland, Mr. Bungle, Klute and even Skinny Puppy ala "Vivisect VI"
at times too. The music consists of often pounding sometimes slow and
hypnotic electro percussion with eerie keyboards, samples, and pitch-shift
effected vocals that often sound a little like the Cookie Monster (but
not in a death metal way), more a well-done humorous manner. One reason
why I like TOTS is because they have a sense of humour and thereby stand
out from the rest of the American crowd of 'serious' goth-electro that's
the dogma these days.
I particularly dig the cover jacket and cheeky liner notes outlining
the 'God in a Box' theme which comes from the same school of humour
as much of EYE-e.l.f.-Blatant Propaganda's: - poking fun at consumerism
as well as the gullibility and downright horrific stupidity of people
in general. As the enlightening liner notes reveal, by owning "God in
a Box" you can commit any sin you wish, and be absolved by owning this
ticket to heaven and enacting the special TOTS ritual herein described.
I'm not revealing what it is - buy the CD! Furthermore, if you do something
really BAD, you can purchase the optional plug-in from TOTS called "Blame
Others ver4.3". That is, create scapegoats.
Worth it just for the witty liner notes, but hey, the music is very
well-produced and silly-funky too! I'm sure it won't be long before
you hear about TOTS in the news as responsible for several US high-school
massacres due to the track "They're exactly alike"... it really is a
recipe for going nuts. But, don't worry, owning the CD will absolve
YOU from any mass-murders you may commit from listening to it. 16 tracks
over 60 minutes.
You can purchase it via CDNOW or direct from the band by money order
or cash: $6 us dollars is cool. The album is available with new cover
art and an extra track at www.MP3.com and this is only $5.99 us dollars.
Contact: The Facility - PO Box 13248 Chicago IL 60613 USA. Web: www.outside-the-skin.com
E-mail: [email protected]