Necessary
Intergalactic Cooperation:
NIC
MALICIOUS DAMAGE
MD629
Tracks:
5th BEAN / RAT / BEAST OF EDEN / TUME / DRIFTIN' / #11 / GREEN ROOM / 06411 /
CONNECTIVITY / E-PLUSS
Running Time: 51:47 mins
review by Tim
Bucknall,
February 2008
© 2008 Fodderstompf.com
This
album was a complete revelation to me, I had been following NIC due
to the fact that it featured Ted Parsons on drums. I'd seen Ted play
live with Killing Joke and was blown away. I was sad when he left the band and had been following his post-KJ
career with interest. When I heard that Keith Levene was involved with
this album I had high expectations.
The first thing to say is that this album is nothing like Killing Joke,
is it like PiL? Well… yes and no! I'll explain that
remark later…
Track one – '5th Bean' – is a fantastic reggae
track with defiant lyrics, and a fantastically deranged keyboard solo.
The whole vibe for the track reminds me of mid 80s On-U-Sound,
but it's so much better than that. It's as catchy and addictive
as hell. 'Rat' is the only
bad apple in the barrel; an otherwise great track is ruined by some feeble
macho rapping - ugh!
Now, 'Beast of Eden' really got under
my skin (in a good way). What could almost be an R&B chart topper,
with falsetto vocals (something I'd normally hate!), is taken to
a whole new level. This track is the best example of the genius of this
album. Scotty Hard who mixed the album is a god! The way Keith's guitar
is used
is stunning. His playing is magnificent and straight out of the 'Metal
Box' style. It's as harsh and abrasive as PiL fans would hope, but it's
an integral part of a pop song! Somehow, whoever mixed and arranged it
managed to leave enough space for Keith's unearthly guitar to shine.
This is what pop music would sound like in my dreams! Keith
hasn't compromised his style at all, and has somehow managed to weave
it into a radio friendly tender pop song!
Basically any PiL fan buying this album will be extremely happy to hear Keith's trademark guitar sound used in such an imaginative manner.
Review by Tim Bucknall
Additional info:
The
album – which
also features contributions from trumpeter Nils Petter-Molvaer
– was recorded with producer Scotty Hard in just 12 days at
Ted Parsons studio in Norway, spring 2006. Keith
Levene came in during the last week of recording and contributed guitar/vocals. Keith
had previously jammed with Ted Parsons on his Teledubgnosis project.
Keith Levene in the studio with NIC, April 2006. © courtesy Ted Parsons
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