I have already posted another of their releases here. But I enjoyed that one so much that I though this blog needed another.
In one of their early post-TG chapters, Chris & Cosey's "Heartbeat", among many such examples of the time, demonstrates the immediate beauty and the power of synthetic minimalism. 1981 was a truly magic year, providing interesting, naively menacing electronic soundtracks for people willing to accept and participate in a sound adventure.
In "Heartbeat" partially lays the answer why we continue to love Throbbing Gristle's records just the same - if it wasn't for Chris Carter's electronic pulse with a twist, soothing if not always that optimistic in its overtones, I guess some of TG records wouldn't be complete or even interesting in that matter. This way, Carter's synthetic trademarks do inform and reward the listener when hopelessly disturbing sound kicks in - whether on a TG or C&C record.
So this, what is to be C&C's debut album, still fits well into TG's nightmarish catalogue. Occasional vocals don't bother to differ much from what Genesis P-Orridge used to do, improvising endlessly into echo delays. It doesn't differ much from '20 Jazz Funk Greats' list of leftovers - still, 'Heartbeat' makes it a respectful ear-pleasing listen.
The only remark about it is its sound inconsistency - pieces like "Bust Stop" and the title track demonstrate a significant techno-esque leap forward, while examples like the opening 'Put Yourself in Los Angeles' or 'Manic Melody (Hairy Beary)' distract with their demo-like appeal.
Tracklist:
A1 Put Yourself In Los Angeles
A2 This Is Me
A3 Voodoo
A4 Moorby
A5 Radio Void
A6 Just Like You
B1 Bust Stop
B2 Useless Information
B3 Moving Still
B4 Manic Melody (Hairy Beary)
B5 Heartbeat
Download:
https://mega.co.nz/#!l49yAKIT!qFNGI28rHaWZX6x2-70l-zosPFqjEVLL3g1qyrwxGMY
