KODE9 AND THE SPACEAPE
– MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE (HYPERDUB)
This is a slow moving
vehicle. A dense laboratory of scales
and sounds layered in magical and menacing fashion. There is indeed something futuristic about
this record. Futuristic, paranoid and very
claustrophobic.
Memories Of The Future
is an album worth listening to closely and intricately. As Kode9 cooks up a series of close beats it
is the words of The Spaceape that sear into your soul. Quite frankly what the man says is disturbing
as he employs what has been described as “a man on his deathbed” vocal
delivery. He sounds like a deep crossing
of Tricky and James Earl Jones, of Darth Vader mixed with a Rasta.
These two actually
make for a very good pair smartly complimenting the other with two sets of
resources that meld together into a rich tapestry and nightmarish ride.
On that note the album
actually opens relatively sedately as the slow motions of “Glass” scramble
around the soul. The sedate strings and
bleeps that eventually give way to the vocals of The Spaceape perform a proper
awakening. Atmospherically it feels the
beginning of journey as the track subtly sways from side to side as confession
occurs both requested and commanded.
The sound is dub
reggae electronica as clipped sonics hang in the air while a deep bass sound
echoes through proceedings. The pace is
a slow one aimed towards a weird construct of relaxation and devastation, panic
station. There is a distinct Lee Perry
influence at play as the beat serves to make time stand still.
There are many
differing down low emotions attached to the various tracks ranging from the
dread and menace of “Curious” to the apprehension created by the Hitchcock like
strings in “Addiction” while “Sine” and “Correction” just wreak of death and
dark endeavour.
Often there is a
William Burroughs type atmosphere attached to proceedings and this is felt most
on “Addiction” as an accurate and clear description of being strung out is
offered in a manner that is most convincing.
Its an understatement to call this claustrophobic.
Throughout it
maintains a constant slow pace, remaining one-beat and mostly about the
message. It plays out like a lighthouse
serving as a beacon able to calm at stormy times in spite of the scenarios in
the lyrical content.
This is a modern
horror soundtrack, one best accompanied by toast. Motion suggests.
Thesaurus moment:
nefarious.
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