SHAKENSTIR / - UK

PNDC & Housework - Secondhand Language /Ammonite Records/

I have to say that it’s very welcome to receive a record from outside of the UK and especially from The Baltic region. And such an exceptional one …

Opening track "At My Door" has a low key ambient, cinematic beauty with an exceptional melody and the occasional dramatic twists created by the introduction of different instrumental sounds. The keyboards provide a relentless buzzing rhythmic foundation while layers of sound wind themselevs around it. It’s an atmospheric beauty. "30,000 Feet" is darker with a spaced-out and dramatic percussive foundation, and the first Housework vocal on the record. It’s an adventurous piece, but like all the songs here is totally accessible. "Animal Farm" is an early favourite with its eerie ambience, huge melody and wonderful electronic instrumental sounds (which could be easily interpreted as real instruments). The Housework vocal darts in and out until the percussive and vocal sounds build angrily in the song’s closing segment. "Shut MY Soul" is dominated by the vocal (in solo and multi-layered form) in the first half before instrumentals enter to dominate for an extended period. "Pilots" is my favourite track and one of the finest electronic tracks I have ever heard. It’s a haunting song dominated by the most superb melody, ghostly Shadowlike vocal and a relentless rhythm. The song’s lyrics are excellent and I’m also struck by the way a layer of instruments is used at varying pace to add depth to the drama on display here.

"What’s The Harm" has a funky, blues rock vibe and an altogether more assertive sound. The vocal by Housework is also more clearly defined, the melody is very powerful. It’s another bold highlight. "Lost Message" takes a similar route but this time with a strong R&B style vocal from Shadowlike. "The Buzz" is a darker song with the drums this time taking second stage and keyboards providing a dense atmospheric layer. Guitars then enter, vocals flash in and out before the song literally flies off into space … "Goodnight" is another wonderful highlight with its spacial sounds, piercing clatter of drums and murky vocal opening. The rocky vibe builds, the pace gathers with keyboards leading the chase and drums in tow for the final crescendo.

At nearly ten minutes "The Fix" is by far the longest song here. It’s dark and threatening with a vocal that matches the vibe perfectly. There are also three superb bonus tracks ("30,000 Feet" remix by Laurent, "Shut My Soul" remix by Harold Nono, and ”Goodnight" which is an alternative mix).

2009 has been a lean year for great electronic music (with Oskar’s LP: 2 the only other notable record I’ve heard), so this brilliant record is more than welcome. It’s thoughtful, intelligent and bristling with melody, pop sensibility, diversity and inventiveness - a heady mix. If you like electronic music this represents an essential buy.