Gyratory System – Utility Music (Soft Bodies Records)
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Out Now
Experimental electronica outfit, Gyratory System, return with their
third album.
On the face of it, Gyratory System are a strange sounding (sic)
proposition. A three-piece led by
producer and trumpeteer Andrew Blick seem to cover several genres from
krautrock to trip-hop to semi-classical with the trumpet being enhanced to give
the sound of Miles Davies on amphetamines.
Previously described as "the UK's only acid-fried, horn-led
electronic marching band" and comparisons to Manchester legends A Certain
Ratio, gives you some idea of what to expect.
Imagine the BBC Radiophonic Workshop meets early OMD meets Sesame
Street and you won’t be far wrong with this lovely little thing. Utility Music is an absolute delight. Its warped electronic sound is jam packed
with layer upon layer of bounce and the melodies are beautifully crafted.
The PR blurb quotes influences from Talk Talk and Afrobeat, and
whilst they're pretty hard to justify there are definite nods in the direction
of Harmonia and possibly even Herbie Hancock.
Recent single Harmonograph blends Kraftwerk with Lemon Jelly and
features vocals of a sort provided by Katharine Blake. It’s wonderfully constructed and flows along
beautifully with an accompanying video which turns from bright and cuddly to
dark and macabre in less than four minutes.
AAA starts with a Middle Eastern sounding voice before travelling further on to the Oriental. The well placed Lackland is laid back and sleepy and gives a well-timed break after an energetic start to the album and Thorney Island is nothing short of majestic with its squeaks, crunches and post jazz interludes.
Ending with the marathon ten minute This
Could Be Your Party, Utility Music is a delightful album which will grow and
grow on you.
8.5/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 19 January 2014 - here
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