San Francisco electronic duo Matmos has defied our edict in that every song on their new album, A Chance to Cut is a Chance to Cure, is either composed of or built around samples recorded in the operating room of various hospitals. I think this fascinating concept album raises a lot of questions about the infinite frontiers of advancing human civilization, where art and medicine meet each other and exchange virtual handjobs, much to the delight of nerds everywhere. But I think there is a more obvious question we should address beforehand. I mean, if the sounds of a hospital operating room were begging to be heard, there would be people in there listening to them. I can't stress what a dumb idea this is.
Some tracks lack any and all rhythm entirely.
According to Matmos, they managed to make all the sounds just by plucking and bowing the cage of their dearly departed pet rat, Felix. They also dedicate the song not just to Felix, but all the deceased lab animals across America. Other tracks manage to incorporate the sounds of liposuction, laser eye surgery, skin being electrocuted, and plastic surgery procedures. Goat spines and human skull. That pretty much says it all.