Let us start by saying that not only were Analog Pussy not really on our favorite bands list, but listening to their early stuff (up to Psycho Bitch from Hell) caused us a mild rash and some fever to go with the allergic reaction to cheese. Imagine our surprise when we first heard the Audio Santo 12". The relocation to Germany has certainly had its effect on the duo and has resulted in a much darker, Techy/Clubby sound (not to mention that it was a full forward stomper with a killer effect on the dancefloors). The next surprise from Jino und Jigga was the Shperma Pornomatic track that appeared on Undercover. Another clubby uplifting tune that made us go wow!
Therefore the anticipation for the album (and with it the expectations from it) were high. The moment that we got the CD we popped it into our CD players. Must we say that we were not disappointed. On the contrary.
Underground brings forward the techy clubby new sound of AP (Analog Pussy not Astral Projection). Minimalistic groovy music with influences from hard house and techno, but still with a very strong (albeit not melodic) uplifting factor, is what makes this CD so good (there's also a different LP version to it).
The opening track Underground Syndrom (T1) is a low tech stomper with a lot of unattached sounds and effects. It brings you to the starting point of the world that AP create in their album. The uplifting factor is already there, so are the scratches and whines each with its place in the matrix. There is a little Latino touch to the track- evidence of the groups visit to Brazil perhaps? There is also a jungely effect, something that is an influence on the entire album's sound. In Revenge of the Toys (T2), AP begin their voyage into the magical world of the sounds of Bill Gates as demonstrated by his OS Win 98. It is an Oldschool Hard House Rave piece with a hard-hitting kick and a merry jingle bells sound. This track also shows us how a very slow piece (133 BPM) can still be extremely uplifting. We progress to Mondocello Warrior (T3) which is progress-ive indeed. A slow buildup with a mellow and rolling baseline reaches in the end a highly powerful and psychedelic scratching crescendo. True to the modern German sound. To be entirely honest we must say that the video mix of Shperma Pornomatic (T4) is slightly disappointing. The original is just so much better…but we understand the band's need to shorten the track's 10.5 minutes if they want to air the clip on MTV. It's still pumping and bouncing but you really need the build-ups, the suspense and the mixing time. The Aaaaaaa - Ha! sample originally from a Ray Charles song is very popular in Israel due to it's appearance in Berry Saharoff's Kama Yossi (really good Israeli Electro-rocker). Brutus (T5) is an explosive techno tune with a slow build, jungely bits and a searing ultramaflitziser to top it all. The rolling bass line pushes you forward through a series of well timed breaks and builds. Pure joy. Hell Pump (T6) has a very basic start and it turns out to be a very minimalistic number but very dramatic at the same time. With long breaks and scary pad line that accompanies the tune. Like much of this CD, the track's power lies in the careful building and progression and on the "put the right line in the right place" approach. The techo-electroish Stomping crow (T7) proves that sometimes minimal can be slightly boring. Here, we said it. Don't mention it again and leave us alone. The track does have a rather strong crescendo but the way there is nothing to write home about. On the other hand, Stop Tech is a groovy little cheeky one, with a shuffly beat and a slap bass that gives it the exact funk element. "Girl you have some groove" type of business. Not developing into a full dancefloor piece this is something in the middle, more for the home on the sofa (or between the sheets) kind of situations. Bring Bootsy back! The closing number Federal Galactic Union (T9), is a deep dub affair. Chilly to the max with a jungle beat and a cold techno soul. Very minimalistic in its use of sounds, it reminded us of Consumed by Plastic Man. We would like to use this opportunity to express our deep dubby wishes for a full album in this style. |
