I think Martin Atkins and I might agree that Ahab Rex is one of the most underrated musical projects going today. My proof is that I merely listened to this release, the Queen of Softcore EP, and a few tracks on various compilations, whereas Mr. Atkins contributed drums on the two of the best songs on the album, Ordinary Things and The Queen of Softcore. Atkins Pigface-co-conspirators Chris Connelly and Steven Seibold also lent their musical talents with Connelly providing guest vocals on Ordinary Things and Seibold aiding Martin Atkins in a Pigface remix of To Whom It May Concern. This 2006 album is essentially Ahab Rex's re-debut as Blood On Blonde is mostly a reworking of 2004's Rollin With The Ahab Rex Quintet with the addition of several songs including the Atkin's aided ones. But whether you consider this album to be a debut or sophomore album for the band, this is one of the strongest efforts I've heard in years and really takes some risks. Ahab Rex's vocalist of the same name has these bold industrial-style vocals strongly comparable to Snog's David Thrussell mixed with a blend of various indie rock styles with a multitude of instruments. There's a lot of great stuff on this album with Rex's dramatic vocals that often are more spoken word than sung but the result is something close to poetry. Whatever Rex's singing lacks in harmony is more than made up for by vocalist Brooke Cassell who is featured on five of the ten album tracks on the CD. As much as all the vocals can take center stage, the music on the album is absolutely well put together for something that at times give that great dirty rock feel on a song like Undertow No. 5 and other times feels closer to a Tom Waits on a track like Dope Sick. All the lyrical content is also just really great, very minimal like the music but well constructed, catchy, and original like listening to Joy Division for the first time. I almost hate to compare so many aspects of the album to other musicians but I think all the influences are readily at the forefront with elements of Tom Waits, T-Rex, Snog, Pigface, PiL, and I'm sure the list goes on. Everything about the album itself is well put together as well with a strong opening with the Atkins-assisted tracks including the single, The Queen of Softcore which is just such an absolutely smooth-fucking song that makes you want to DJ at some sort of noir bar (I actually think the whole album has sort of a noir feel to it) and continues with a range of different sounds that keep the listener wanting more from start to finish and showing a great flow and then concluding with the title track, two remixes (one by Pigface and another by Assassains of Ordinary Things, and a non-music track that normally one would find at the beginning of an album but is much more conscientiously placed at the end. The album is also well-produced by Ahab Rex and mastered by Collin Jordan who has mastered albums for Grim Faeries, Chris Connelly, Nocturne, Pigface, and My Life with The Thrill Kill Kult amongst others. The album artwork by chicago illustrator Yunicorn is also just so fitting for the album as you have a real fusion of industrial and indie rock that perfectly suits the band. I beg you to please check out this album and if you're first to get this far and live in the Greater Los Angeles area I have one copy to give away if you want it. Favorite Tracks: Ordinary Things, The Queen of Softcore, Thank You Mister Russia (An Alcoholic Love Story), To Whom It May Concern, Dope Sick, and To Whom It May Concern (Pigface Remix)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Album a Day: Ahab Rex - Blood On Blonde
I think Martin Atkins and I might agree that Ahab Rex is one of the most underrated musical projects going today. My proof is that I merely listened to this release, the Queen of Softcore EP, and a few tracks on various compilations, whereas Mr. Atkins contributed drums on the two of the best songs on the album, Ordinary Things and The Queen of Softcore. Atkins Pigface-co-conspirators Chris Connelly and Steven Seibold also lent their musical talents with Connelly providing guest vocals on Ordinary Things and Seibold aiding Martin Atkins in a Pigface remix of To Whom It May Concern. This 2006 album is essentially Ahab Rex's re-debut as Blood On Blonde is mostly a reworking of 2004's Rollin With The Ahab Rex Quintet with the addition of several songs including the Atkin's aided ones. But whether you consider this album to be a debut or sophomore album for the band, this is one of the strongest efforts I've heard in years and really takes some risks. Ahab Rex's vocalist of the same name has these bold industrial-style vocals strongly comparable to Snog's David Thrussell mixed with a blend of various indie rock styles with a multitude of instruments. There's a lot of great stuff on this album with Rex's dramatic vocals that often are more spoken word than sung but the result is something close to poetry. Whatever Rex's singing lacks in harmony is more than made up for by vocalist Brooke Cassell who is featured on five of the ten album tracks on the CD. As much as all the vocals can take center stage, the music on the album is absolutely well put together for something that at times give that great dirty rock feel on a song like Undertow No. 5 and other times feels closer to a Tom Waits on a track like Dope Sick. All the lyrical content is also just really great, very minimal like the music but well constructed, catchy, and original like listening to Joy Division for the first time. I almost hate to compare so many aspects of the album to other musicians but I think all the influences are readily at the forefront with elements of Tom Waits, T-Rex, Snog, Pigface, PiL, and I'm sure the list goes on. Everything about the album itself is well put together as well with a strong opening with the Atkins-assisted tracks including the single, The Queen of Softcore which is just such an absolutely smooth-fucking song that makes you want to DJ at some sort of noir bar (I actually think the whole album has sort of a noir feel to it) and continues with a range of different sounds that keep the listener wanting more from start to finish and showing a great flow and then concluding with the title track, two remixes (one by Pigface and another by Assassains of Ordinary Things, and a non-music track that normally one would find at the beginning of an album but is much more conscientiously placed at the end. The album is also well-produced by Ahab Rex and mastered by Collin Jordan who has mastered albums for Grim Faeries, Chris Connelly, Nocturne, Pigface, and My Life with The Thrill Kill Kult amongst others. The album artwork by chicago illustrator Yunicorn is also just so fitting for the album as you have a real fusion of industrial and indie rock that perfectly suits the band. I beg you to please check out this album and if you're first to get this far and live in the Greater Los Angeles area I have one copy to give away if you want it. Favorite Tracks: Ordinary Things, The Queen of Softcore, Thank You Mister Russia (An Alcoholic Love Story), To Whom It May Concern, Dope Sick, and To Whom It May Concern (Pigface Remix)
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