moving units - dangerous dreams
ok. let's get this over with right at the start.
punk-funk. franz ferdinand. gang of four.
there done. while the rest of the world falls at the feet of the franz gang there are bands now picking up the baton and running with it, as with the now forgotten (??) garage scene some of the follow on effects will be cringesome, while others worthy - only time will tell.
so welcome to the debut album from la's moving units. all the usual ingredients are present and very correct. driving drums, pumped up basslines, slightly distorted vocals, hand claps, and excellently clipped abrasive guitar jabs and stabs that propel the songs along. while for many this album will be a total genre rip off i have to admit that i have found myself returning to the album on several occasions and loving it. for the first 4 tracks there isn't any let up in the frenetic drums and vibrant tempo. the songs are insistent and embed within the central nervous system to the point of pain - though in a strangely enjoyable manner. then we get to 'going for adds' and suddenly the album is lifted into a new level of excellence. with the pumping bass line from hell, simplistic riff, and dancefloor-centric lyrics its quickly realised that this is an absolute classic.
then just when you reckon the band are a one trick pony the gang (of three) drop in the centre of the album - 'anyone' - a gorgeous electro-pop song that adds a lovely old school depeche mode synth line to the laid back vibes of the bands groove. showing they have more variety up their sleeve, making the possibilities of the second album far more interesting, especially as this album highlight is followed by another drop dead classic - 'scars' - u2's edge style guitars (all echoed and spacious), and emotional rawness, recalling the glory times of echo and the bunneymen. these two songs are well placed in the centre of the album, giving the listener a little breathing space before the beats a re let loose again. as the postpunkfunk groove is re-established. sometime things do get a a little to close to the past masters with 'bricks and mortar' which has bass line that's a direct descendant of 'amalite rifle' - it's too damn spooky, still a great track with added levels of dub effects. so i aint complaining. too much.
all in all, 12 tracks in 42 minutes with not an ounce of flab or waste. urgent sonics matched against the tighter than a ducks arse musicianship, and some fine songs.
job well done if you ask me.