From: bmacdona@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Brian K!z!K MacDonald)
Subject: New Meat Beat Manifesto album _Satyricon_
Newsgroups: rec.music.industrial
Organization: Univ. of Calif., Irvine, Info. & Computer Sci. Dept.
Date: 10 Oct 92 19:50:53 GMT


       Having been an avid fan of Meat Beat Manifesto since my worn out
  copy of the "Suck Hard" EP in 1987,   I , of course, were looking quite
  forward to the new _Satyricon_.


      Well, I can definitely say that it COULD have been a brilliant album,
  but somehow many of the production decisions make it quite a dissapointment.

     First off, the first five tracks can be scraped off the face of the
  earth as far as I'm concerned.    Although "Pot Sounds" makes an
  interesting intro, the lead track "Mindstream" kicks off with vocals
  which would flatter David Gahan (Yes, THAT David Gahan!).  Although the
  beats don't exactly scream <synth pop alert>, they don't exactly progress.
  The same dismay goes with "Original Control (Version 1)" and "Your Mind
  Belongs to the State" and "Drop".  They have interesting ideas but
 unfortunately never really take OFF.

   The first bout of light comes with "Circles".  Although this is not
  quite "industrial", it carries along a Beatles/XTC-ish harmony with
  a neat little dance beat.  Imagine Spiritualized making dance music.
  That's "Circles".

     "The Sphere" and many "filler" tracks to come bring to mind
  Steve Fisk's _448_Deathless_Days_.   Some sample of a movie or speech with
   strange music loops in the background.  Not more than a minute long each.
  Not a bad idea, though not terribly original either.

      Then comes a three-part track called "Brainwashed (??something??) /
    Zombie / That Shirt".   Interesting idea as well, though it doesn't
   escalate too well.   "Brainwashed (??something??)" is a simple instrumental
  excursion not unlike the B-sides at the end of the "Edge of No Control" CD5.
  Then a tribal rhythm with utterings of the word "Zombie" take over, (forcing
  me to assume that this is the "Zombie" part of the song).  This goes on
  until another Fisk-esque piece called "That Shirt" resumes.  BRILLIANT
  idea, but why isn't it so exciting when listening to it?

    Another filler track called "Euthenasia" follows somewhere after this
 and then the most  tekno-ish track assault as "Original Control (Version 2)"
 invades.  If you're a fan of any hardcore tekno, this comes as close to the
 genre as they can without ever straight-out indulging themselves in it.

     "The Edge of No Control Pt.1" is a new twist (with answering machine
  message from Phil from Consolidated in check).  A new rap to this one.
  Quite a lyrical piece as "Pt.2 " which is more-or-less the single version.
  One of the highlights of the album.

   Another highlight is the "Son of Sam".   Has a gritty hip-hop beat with
   a twice-as-grating chorus.  One of the qualities I've always liked about
  MBM.  Unfortunately, the quality is only shining on this track.

   Another shortie "Track 15" then the finale called "Placebo" which is
  analogical to _99%_'s "Deviate".  Except there is more melody surrounding
  the mania.   OK but not so gratifying.



      You could call this album Meat Beat's "_En_Tact_" if you wish.
  (In fact, the type-font is curiously similar!).  Which is a good sign,
  as this album could very well grow on me.


   But then again, I remember a time when MBM used to _KILL_!  _Armed_Audio_
  Warfare_ and _Storm_the_Studio_ will still be my favorites for this
  reason.

    And also, look at the Shamen's followup to _En_Tact_.  THIS is what scares
  me about this album.  (Please Jack, don't drown in an E-trip like Will Sin
  did.)

                                                                K!z!K







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