Technokcraci

Item: Small Square Boxes
Author: Dan MacIntosh

Small Square Boxes

(1992)

Reviewed by Dan MacIntosh

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Label R.E.X. MusicSyndicateNov/Dec 1992

electronic industrial synth pop

With these four new releases to review, it would appear that Christian music has entered the industrial revolution. Industrial music is now all the rage in alternative circles, and I'm happier than James Brown to see Christians in the ring so soon.

Industrial music has changed a bit since I first saw Test Department banging hammers and "playing" drills back in the mid-eighties. With the pop appeal of Nine Inch Nails, and popular acclaim of bands like Ministry, industrial has evolved into a mixture of punk, synth pop, and dance music, to become a style which some folks like, and most of the folks that I've talk to hate. Sometimes they hate it even more than rap. And no, I'm not just talking about my parents.

Criticism shouldn't scare these industrialites. All new creative music, it seems, has been put down in its formative stages. Keep in mind that Louis Armstrong hated Charlie Parker when he first heard Be Bop, and that did nothing to stop the greatest saxophone player of all time from making his music.

Of these new projects, Circle Of Dust will appeal most to hardcore industrial fans. It's filled with a relentless stream of scary vocals, land mind rhythms, and judgement day lyrics. This is no play pen, and a hard hat is required.

The band Syco mixes in industrial sounds with its C&C Music Company dance grooves. These songs incorporate the kind of fire and brimstone gospel elements that Scott Blackwell has been using in his House projects. It would be better for listeners to wear dancing shoes instead of work boots while this album is in the CD player.

Technokcraci sounds like it has come to the wrong party. Its grooves are filled with poor singing, bad lyrics, and wimpy synthesizer music. We'd all be better off if it was melted down and constructed into something a little more useful.

Under Midnight is the act here that gives every indication of being built to last. It mixes serious beats, real singing, real melodies, and real songs, without sacrificing its edge. It has something for everyone, without disenfranchising anyone. Not to mention, great samples from the movie, Blade Runner.

If this is a true revolution, or just another musical fad, only time will tell. Nonetheless, it's good to see record labels such as REX, Wonderland, and Essential taking chances on music which has more creative value than it has commercial potential. This is certainly worth making some noise about.

2.5/5