Tragedy (For You)

This song miffs me only in that I expected the rest of Tyranny (For You) to be equally good, when it was not. But then the two 1993 albums came along and all was not only right with the world, it was brilliant.

(That said, Off is fucking amazing.)

"W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G."!!! Front 242 doing Neu! basically.

"We're coming DOWN! We're coming DOWN! We're coming down? WE'RE COMING DOWN!"

"Aggressiva"... that insane sampled crazy guitar solo a la Young Gods (or perhaps predating them?) "IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIIIIIIIIIIDE" *insert sample of L.A. traffic report*

Not to skunk on the "Tragedy (For You)" parade. To Front 242's credit, they did the secret bonus track at the end thing on Tyranny (For You) just before Nirvana did it on Nevermind.

Official Version is pretty much bang all the way through... even that last track with the preacher man.

To loud beats.

WHY CAN'T ALL YOU BLACK STROBE WORSHIPPING FUCKERS APPRECIATE THAT, AS FUN AS THEY ARE, THEY ARE ULTIMATELY A FUCKING FRONT 242 RIP-OFF THROUGH AND THROUGH?

Ok, I'm better now.

1 - official version

2 - no comment

3 - front by front

4 - geography

donut deboanir otm about w.y.h.i.w.y.g

that song owns.

'quite unusual' and 'masterhit' too. how can you resist?

RED ROVER RED ROVER SEND DAVID RIGHT OVER!

This thread makes me think back to my high-school days. The first album I ever special-ordered was Front 242's No Comment (on vinyl, with the bonus live tracks on a separate 7-inch). I had heard one track (No Shuffle, maybe) one time on the local college radio (KCOU), which didn't fully prepare me for what I ended up with. I remember thinking I should have listened more carefully to the broadcast -- I was probably expecting something more like Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, and the other synthpop I knew and liked at the time. But my initial disappointment was mixed with a sense of excitement and danger. I mean, that seems silly, but it's true: I had no real awareness of Punk music, so this was my first exposure to a band that valued attitude more than craft. (I suppose the craft side fell into place on their later releases...)

I haven't heard it in ages. I might like it more now than I did originally, but on the other hand I'm sure it would seem "ordinary" now, compared to the impact it once had on me.

(No relation to U-Men, the band, who were also great... but completely different)

By the way Dan, I hope that you are planning to devote at least 24 hours to an endless music exchange frenzy while you visit dear old MPLS. Anything less would make baby jesus cry...bring yer front 242 with, as everything I have is via moldy tape format.

The first album I ever special-ordered was Front 242's No Comment (on vinyl, with the bonus live tracks on a separate 7-inch). I had heard one track (No Shuffle, maybe) one time on the local college radio (KCOU), which didn't fully prepare me for what I ended up with. I remember thinking I should have listened more carefully to the broadcast -- I was probably expecting something more like Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, and the other synthpop I knew and liked at the time. But my initial disappointment was mixed with a sense of excitement and danger. I mean, that seems silly, but it's true: I had no real awareness of Punk music, so this was my first exposure to a band that valued attitude more than craft. (I suppose the craft side fell into place on their later releases...)

Something very similar happened to me with Ministry! I was introduced to them by hearing "(Everyday Is) Halloween", "Over The Shoulder" and "All Day", all three of which I loved. When I heard they had an album coming out, I rushed out to buy it and spent a good five minutes convincing my mother to let me play it on the car's tape player during the ride home, reassuring her that it was relatively accessible synth-based dance music with edgy lyrics.

Then "Stigmata" kicked in. Um, oops. I did eventually end up loving that album but WOW was that not at all what I was expecting (also Mom wasn't too impressed with "Diety" or "The Missing", and thank God she made me turn it off before it hit "Flashback" otherwise I probably would never have seen that tape again).

I play Official Version now and I am merry. It does sound surprisingly contemporary, does it not?

I recognize that you shouldn't expect light and airy tweenes from an album titled The Land Of Rape And Honey but I was at least expecting some good mechanical industro-dance a la "Over The Shoulder" on speed. All of that guitar scared me (although "Stigmata" was still compelling, it just wasn't what I was expecting). I actually already liked Metallica, Megadeth and Iron Maiden so I didn't have that far to go to appreciate the album but talk about an odd first impression!

(When John bought Confessions Of A Knife... and played it for me it completely rocked my world in precisely the way I was expecting LORAH to hit me; this is probably why TKK is still one of my favorite groups while Ministry fell by the wayside after 1989.)

BTW Dan you should check the Brown Wedge in half an hour or so.

I feel it unlikely that either of us would have done the same for level 42.

Therefore, FLA wins.

By the way, Die Warzau released a new album today. I shit you not. Only Dan and I will care. Link to apparently indicative single here:

http://www.pulseblack.com/files/dw/DIEWARZAU-BLACK_MASSIVE_COMPILATION-INSECT.mp3

Arghbargle! Arglebargle! Arglebarglebargle!

It might take me a few more listens, I guess...

SINS OF THE FLESH
AND NAKED AGGRESSION!

is playing right now for me. Whoohoo!

In celebration of all this, my old cassette copy of "Front By Front" was also enjoyed by yours truly this past Saturday afternoon.

FUCK YOUR GODDAMN DREAMS!

I knew that a new Die Warzau album was coming out but I didn't know when. NOW I KNOW. I am totally spending my lunch money at the music store tonight.

It's very good. Not as good as the second album but still enjoyable; they've completely embraced their pop side now which works very well most of the time, the downside being that when it doesn't work they sound a little like old men imitating Linkin Park.

HI DAN!

HI JOHN! It kind of sucks that you can't edit posts, huh?

I need to listen to Machines Of Loving Grace as soon as humanely possible.

I am having huge flashbacks to the Front Line Assembly show that John and I went to in... '92? It was kind of like dancing on that tilting platform from Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter" video only without the anime.

Haha, I was at that show! As was Elvis Telecom. But no, that wasn't Machines of Loving Grace, that was the excerable Engines of Aggression.

Okay, even at the height of my industropop fandom I would have drawn the line there (and I have a CD and CD single by Big Catholic Guilt).

I think we buried ours. To prevent it from coming back.

Dan, I am pleased to see you had bounds.

Engines of Aggression
Speak
Priority

Engines of Aggression represents another band that suddenly realized it is much easier to use samples and a drum machine than to actually try to do anything creative or interesting. In the process, they have joined the ever-swelling ranks of bands who record this kind of punk/industrial/rock stuff, along with such luminaries as Grotus, Rage Against the Machine, and of course, the one's that showed it could be profitable, Nine Inch Nails (I balk at calling them pioneers).

Their press stuff says that their incredible work ethic explains why they had a full-length on a major label within six months of their formation. I think it has more to do with undemanding music and a music industry more concerned with turning a quick buck and cashing in on a trend than signing interesting bands or building a long-term, loyal audience. No one ever said art and capitalism were a perfect fit, eh?

At the same time, their lyrics are all about being disaffected, about not selling out or being complacent. Okay, maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe the Engines are really a quartet of politically active, sincere, concerned musicians. Maybe. On the other hand, their music is awfully easy on the ears for something designed to shake the world up. Hey -- being political is fun!

-- B.B.

Am I the only one who still remembers/adores Grotus? Probably.

Engines of Aggression was truly godawful though...

Actually can we talk about Nasa now, seeing as everyone who ever heard that album (except maybe donut bitch) is currently on this thread having a nostalgia fit?

M.I.A. should have toured with them instead of LCD Soundsystem.

"INSHALLAHHHHHHHAGALANGALANGALANG."

I saw that tour in MPLS, but for some reason don't remember the Melvins being on the bill. Of course, that might have been stored in one of the brain cells that the aging process has kicked to the curb...

One off date in OC. I will scrounge for the tale...

(hahahaha oh no was that the night I told F****h that if she didn't have anything intelligent to say, she should shut the fuck up?????)

Mr. Bungle, the Melvins and the greatest show ever.

Hey Dan...remember "Fresh Kills"? This is, after all, electronic body music we're all talking about here. When I go home tonight, I'm doing a S/D on my forgotten compilation shelf. Who shall represent for "1000 Homo Fishermen"?

By the way, I have put "Hand to Mouth" by grotus on an inappropriate number of mix CD's for aquaintances in an effort to bolster their sales. Dan - rank Grotus releases! Go!

They must all be out of print by now, I'm guessing, so if anyone needs Grotus, I'm yer man.

Who was the third act on the grotus/bungle show we were at? I need to start compiling these things for posterity.

http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/ENGINES_OF_AGGRESSION/images/sm-31976.jpg

You and a lot of us. If in fact you DO have a recording of that show or even a portion of it, I would love you forever.

http://www.bunglefever.com/

and get a version that seems to be from a different show under the Audio/Live/Rare menu.

Hilarious. You can *just* tell they missed their glam calling but unlike the similarly transmogrified Weezer didn't bury their past enough.

man I should try to find my Grotus albums

YES YOU SHOULD

The major label one was kinda eh. Liked 'em well enough when I saw them open for the legendary Mr. Bungle/Melvins clusterfuck in 1992.

Maybe I should revisit all these OG 242 albums.

Seeing 242 next Sunday. For this tour they're playing the old stuff on vintage analog gear. I love the live tracks on Backcatalogue, hope they'll sound like that.