Thanks to the quickly-established avant garde dynamic of this record (and an undeniably strong sense of the unpredictable), the self-titled debut from/creative alias of Milwaukee art-rock duo Annie Denison and Adam Berzowski could initially be mistaken for the soundtrack to a seventies-era Rocky-Horror style Broadway musical, save for the sampled interludes and other synthesiser driven, dance music-inspired elements that serve as clear indicators that this is a brand-new record.
How the whole thing works so well is beyond me: but several contrasting features make for a whole that's experimental, highly intriguing and full of appeal without a single shade of pretention.
For instance, surreal storylines dominate because of the strong narrative quality of the vocals (the plot is hard to fathom, but impossible to miss), but in terms of production the record has strong acid house and techno influences, although a multitude of genres are mixed and matched within the ostensibly dance-music orientated framework.
Denison's soulful side is unleashed during back-to back tracks, as Romeo and Juliet benefits from the full Brad and Janet treatment during the Ozric Tentacle-y disco-funk 'Live It Up' before a sudden downward mood swing allows the full, bare heartache of 'Since You've Been Gone' to soak in.
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Elsewhere, gospel emerges brilliantly against a grinding sub-warped backdrop to heighten the spirituality of the seemingly infinite anthem 'As We Sleep'
Other highlights include the Kate-Bush-reminiscent, piano laden drama of 'Fist' and the lounging seven minute-thirteen second mini voyage, 'Shattered'.
Diverse and full of feeling, this is one of the most creative, interesting and compelling albums I've heard in a long time.
Aleph Motivus on Myspace
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