Australian first wave industrial group SPK's Machine Age
Voodoo was a radical departure from their earlier music, enough to earn the
pioneering noise group accusations of selling out from ardent fans. This much
is fact, but if you look at industrial music in context in the middle to late
80's patterns start to emerge.
The thing is this is SPK's attempt at a commercial album.
For anyone familiar with Information Overload Unit, and Leichenschrei, two
defining industrial/noise albums if there ever were any, Machine Age Voodoo may
come as a bit of a shock. Hiring a female vocalist in the form of Sinan Leong
(who later went on to become Revell's wife), gone is the harsh sound
frequencies, mechanical dark ambience and disturbing samples of old. In is 80's
dance pop, and damn, is it upbeat and energetic. Hell, the opening title track
may be one of the best New Wave songs I’ve ever heard with its tribal beats,
horns and vocals. Machine Age Voodoo, the song, sets a high standard for
industrialised synthpop. Flesh & Steel is what I would consider another
essential cut on here. With its infectious bassline and percussion, and sensual
vocals it rivals the title track on a whole different level.
Overall, Machine Age Voodoo is just kind of patchy. It's
a refreshing listen for anyone who enjoys new wave and 80's dance pop, but may
find itself at odds with anyone who is seeking more of the soul-crushing noise
which was predominant on Information Overload Unit and Leichenschrei. This
album is all about the hooks. Along with other seminal 80's releases by
industrial artists who went synthpop (such as Cabaret Voltaire's Micro-Phonies
and Chris & Cosey's Heartbeat), I find Machine Age Voodoo a slight, but
worthwhile listen for gauging the direction of industrial music at the time.
The title track and Flesh & Steel are essential, though.
Ripped from the original vinyl album to FLAC
SPK; Machine Age Voodoo
A1. Junk
Funk
A2. With
Love From China
A3. High
Tension
A4. One
World
B1. Flesh
& Steel
B2. Metropolis
B3. Metal
Dance
B4. Thin
Ice
B5. Crime
Of Passion
Was really disappointed when they totally sold out for this album. Although it eventually grew on me, this version of Metal Dance was tragic compared to the Original 12'' that probably got them a major record deal. People Are People by Depeche Mode just took the Original idea and at least made a decent sounding track. Revell obviously has gone on to show his talents with so many soundtracks to his name. The Original Metal Dance will always be one of my all time favourite tracks. The difference between this album and Leichenschrei is like night and day. This is a clever pop album with some great songs though. Wish it was a bit harder sounding though. Thanks for posting bud, you post some great stuff and its very much appreciated. His wife did an ok job on the first Metal Dance but yeah she wasn't a great fit i suppose.
ReplyDeleteJamie, the original Metal Dance 12" is on one of my drives and the collection AutoDaFe is lurking about as well. If there is enough interest I'll post some earlier SepPuKu.
Deleteps, i think Cabaret Voltaire never really totally sold out but i get your point. The last couple of years were poor. Money is the devil in most of these cases.
ReplyDeleteDon't miss understand, I personally had softened as well. I love that mid period Cabs of Crackdown, Micro-phonies and The Covenant, The Sword and The Arm Of The Lord and most of the same period Chris And Cosy but it all started to get silly for the Brits as Wax Trax!, Ministry and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult started to dominate my subculture (I call it my mid 20's crisis). Money most certainly was the devil in the detail
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