soulsavers - tough guys dont dance
having released 3 excellently diverse party mix cds its is now time for the guys to release their lp proper.
sumptuious packaging. a dark black embossed slipcase with the bands logo set amongst gothic swirls. pull the cd out of the sleeve - a dark blood red sky with an eerie middle of nowhere in usa scene. creepy aint the word.
and as for the opening track 'cabin fever' - damn this should come with a cert18 sticker. an instrumental shocker rocker that would be suitable for any reissue of "assault on precinct 13" or any classic john carpenter thriller. the sounds that rich machin and ian glover, for they are the soulsavers, use are downright scary. intense creepiness is induced surrounded by the regulation cinematic grandeur. a stunning opening. and rather misleading the listener.
once the nerves have settled the rest of the lp is a calm after the storm, second track 'love' features vocal talents of josh haden. sublime is an understatement. the nearest reference would be the recent broadway project stuff, but josh vocals are more of the whispered breathey type set to laidback downtempo groove. dropdead gorgeous, this is one of three tracks that feature vocals and is a standout track. in fact, all three the tracks that feature josh (recorded in la ?!), are by far the most enduring. not to say that the other 6 tracks aren't damn fine, just that the added vocals put an extra layer of detail that the listener wants more ..
the other tracks all follow the same kind of downtempo scratchy hip-hop beats, cinematic backing a la david arnold, strings swirl, horns sections inflate, piano ivories are tinkled. the instrumental ambience is rich throughout. sampled or real i care not one bit, wanna lump it in with dj shadow, mo'wax beatheadzz stuff fine - it sounds wonderful and fits the change in season perfectly.
my soundtrack to the onset of autumn colours. a perfect late night album. and, i didn't dance once, honest.
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