June 14, 2020

Front 242 - 06.21.03.11 Up Evil (1993)

The first of two releases for Front 242 in 1993, 06:21:03:11 Up Evil (aka F*ck Up Evil) found the foursome rebounding from the somewhat sterile Tyranny (For You) with a varied, vicious assault.
Incorporating guitar noise more readily than ever before, but most often chopped up and heavily treated for the band's own particular purposes, 06:21:03:11 Up Evil contains some of the band's most virulent, explosive songs.
All titles are one-word long, simple, and straightforward, with names like "Flag," "Mutilate," and "Crapage." There's almost a straight-up rock feel to a number of tracks as well, as the drumming on "Waste" and the quite anthemic "Melt" shows.
It's hardly Front 242's grunge move, though -- Jean-Luc de Meyer and the generally little-heard Richard 23 may have a more openly emotional rasp and rage in their voices, especially de Meyer, but the relentless beat of industrial/electronic body music lives on.
Leadoff single "Religion" continues the group's winning vein on that front, feedback roars and a huge beat setting an edgy pace before a body slam of a chorus kicks in, de Meyer raging over the top, "Let me burn you down!" The winning secret of the album is that a fair number of songs also demonstrate a careful subtlety, as with the sly mood-setting of "Skin," with its chopped-up electro/hip-hop beats providing the propulsion behind desperate whispers and ominous synth buzzes.
The immediately following "Motion" provides an even more upfront blend of styles, with a quiet start and gentle singing suddenly shifting into a pounding call-to-arms percussion attack, all while de Meyer chants, "progress, progress!" again and again.
Other successes in this vein include the strange prettiness of "Stratoscape," featuring a low, purring bassline and crisp beats offset against soft keyboard sparkles and chimes, and "Fuel," which includes minimal ambient buzz, more upfront dance/beat chaos, and varying combinations of the two.


Tracklist

1.  "Crapage" - 4:57
2. "Waste" - 4:12
3. "Skin" - 3:34
4. "Motion" - 3:50
5. "Religion" - 4:05
6. "Stratoscape" - 4:34
7.  "Hymn" - 3:26
8. "Fuel" - 4:46
9.  "Melt" - 3:30
10. "Flag" - 5:08
11.  "Mutilate" - 4:10
12. "(S)Crapage" - 6:11
13.  "Religion" (Pussy Whipped Mix) - 6:06

All tracks are written by Front 242.
 

Credits

Production
  • Daniel Bressanutti – Producer
  • Patrick Codenys – Producer
  • Jean-Luc de Meyer – Vocals
  • Craig Leon – Director, Engineer
  • Rob Sutton – Engineer
  • J. G. Thirlwell – Producer, Remixing
  • Andy Wallace – Mixing
  • Cassell Webb – Director, Vocals (background), Engineer

Companies, etc.

Notes 
Release Date: May 25, 1993
Genre: Electro-industrial
Duration: 58:29

Label - Red Rhino Europe / Epic 

No comments:

Post a Comment