| CD REVIEW Leaether Strip |
|
|
Band : Leaether Strip Since the return of Denmark's Claus Larsen akà Leaether Strip to the forefront of the Industrial Dance scene, people into that type of music have all reasons to feel well-treated. Not only did Lars bring a new album (each also in limited editions with bonus CDs) each year (and 4 of those already being double disc albums to begin with), since 2007 there's also the re-issue of his older material (in the special formula wherein the fan not only can finally get himself those long-since out-of-print classic albums, with bonus EP tracks from back in the days...but also sees Lars re-interpret the material of the albums) in the Retention series (of which 3 albums have now already been re-issued). In other words, an avalanche of music by a quality musician. Of the new material, the label says its “...no doubt the most open and club-minded album written by Leather Strip since his return to the forefront of the Electronic scene...”, and having listened to the album I cannot but agree with that assessment. However, there's still quite some anger in a couple of the songs, anger towards some of the world's (or rather some of its people) petty meanness, anger towards abuse towards those unable to defend themselves...in other words the more seedy side of “civilisation...and although the overall sound is indeed more club-oriented, there's also still tracks with a nice Industrial touch. Also according to the same label promo, there would be a couple of more intimate songs inspired by such classics as Beethoven's “Moonlight Sonata” and Chopin's “Funeral March” (in all honesty, I still have to pick out those moments...because I'm writing the review while still listening to it), and then there's other such moments such as “My Shadow Is You Home” (check) and “My Funeral” (re-check). Then there's also the collaboration with Andi Sex Gang (duel vocals on “What Have I Done”) and Jim Cookas (of I:Scintilla, on the acoustic version of “Song For Pia”, a song the origins of which I was unable to trace). Of course, a Leaether Strip album wouldn't be a Leaether Strip if he didn't have some more alternate versions of some of his previously released songs...hence you'll find a “Baer Body Music” mix of “Invade My Body” (original on this same album ) closing the first disc, and a “Dance” mix of “The Bears Aren't Sleeping Tonight” (off the Nov. 2009 released compilation of “leftovers” Yes I'm Limited, which also needs to be added to the long list mentioned above). In all, there's 30 tracks for a total listening time of 154 ½ minutes! For some reason, I could not log onto Leaether Strip's MySpace page, but there's a video available of the aforementioned “My Shadow Is Your Home” on the artist's page at alfa-matrix.com. As per usual with releases by this label, a limited edition of the album is available with a bonus CD titled Mental Disturbance, containing remixes of some of the album's songs by the some of the label's usuals, such as Sebastian Komor, Project-X, Psy'Aviah, Halo In Reverse...as well as a newer act like Kant Kino (they even get to remix two songs), and 11 other remixers. And as if that wouldn't be enough, there's apparently also a bonus download card which will allow you to 19 more remixes (names of remixers that resound in my mind include are P.N.E., amGod, Essence Of Mind, Acylum, Dunkelwerk, again Project-X, and also newby Freakangel). Wow...what an offering...which I had the cash to buy all of that! Yeah well, I've loved Leather Strip the first time I heard the music, and my appreciation for it has simply not changed yet, in spite of the avalanche of material I've heard in the last couple of years! This guy is simply too good for words! Check out his music, do it now! 98/100 Tony. |
