Music Reviews

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Artist: Masonic Youth (@)
Title: Going Down
Format: 7"
Label: Smittekilde Records (@)
Rated: *****
I had never heard of this band, but the name is clever. The first thing you notice is the DIY artwork, but the best part about the artwork is the defaced Chick tract about Masonry. I especially liked the way they replaced the Baphomet sigil with the McDonalds golden arches and added Mickey Mouse ears to the hat. On to the music. Because the sides are not labeled, I’ll just call them "Male" and "Female" because of the pictures on the album but the tracks are called "Mind Control" and "Going Down." The Male side begins with a slow scraping sound that goes throughout the piece. There is a repetitive melody/theme that goes through the music. Toward the end, there is feedback that becomes increasingly more intense, then suddenly stops. It is oddly soothing. The Female side features processed samples of what sounds like a talk radio show blended with a piano theme and random crackling and tapping that takes place just beneath the surface. The track suddenly switches gears to thudding beats and slightly distorted music. I wouldn’t call it noise – more like lo-fi. Slows down and suddenly stops. I don’t quite know what to make of this album. It was fine to listen to, and enjoyable, but not something that will spend a lot of time on my turntablenot because of any problems with the music, but a matter of taste. I’m reminded Abraham Lincoln’s statement, "For those who like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they like." But this is something to take a chance on if you’re looking for something that doesn’t fit into a specific mold.


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