Genre/Influences: EBM, dark-electro, body-pop, cabaret, IDM.

Background/Info: Frank Tovey (1956 – 2002) better known under the Fad Gadget moniker has been for sure one of the most famous and maybe stubborn artists from the new-wave decade. He released a very own electro-wave sound and had numerous hits. This tribute is a way to commemorate the talent of Frank Tovey, but still the great ‘show beast’ he was.

Artists: Leæther Strip, Noir, Microship Junky, George Sarah (Stereotaxic Device), Cortex Defect, Bioassay, Manufactura, Pixelpussy ao.

Content: Seventeen bands contributed to this special tribute. There’s an interesting selection of established and some real famous names and a few ‘new’ and totally unknown bands. That makes the compilation even more interesting. “Collapsing New People”, “Lady Shave”, “Ricky’s Hand”, “Fireside Favourite”, “Back To Nature”, “Swallow It” and “State Of The Nation” are some of the most famous ‘hits’ from the artist that have been covered for this compilation.

I noticed a great diversity of influences and a few artists who totally reworked the original version.

+ + + : This tribute is an ode to one of the artists, who I personally consider as one of the ‘major’ artists from the electronic underground music. All songs have been covered a successful way, but it’s an interesting sonic canvas revealing interesting passages. I’m referring to the somewhat cubby adaptation of “Lady Shave” by Blakk Glass, the into EBM driven “Ricky’s Hand” by Blicky and another EBM inspired cover of “Insecticide” by Manufactura, the pretty minimal-like “Insecticide” by Microship Junky, the intimate “Back To Nature” by Noir, the creative and totally reworked “State Of The Nation” by Pixelpussy, the bombastic and somewhat into cabaret like “Saturday Night Special” by Maleagant and last, but not least the dark-EBM transformed “Back To Nature” by Leæther Strip.

– – – : Some tracks remain far under the expectations although did I really had some expectations?! It’s just that a few cuts could have been more creative and/or the vocals produced another way. It always is a bit of a tricky business covering such a legendary artist so sometimes it’s cleverer to totally transpose the original song into something different. That’s precisely what Pixelpussy did and what other bands didn’t dare.

Conclusion: This sampler is a way to rediscover Fad Gadget interpreted by other artists. It’s an honest and interesting tribute to Mr. Frank Tovey.

Best bands: Microship Junky, Noir, Missing Witness, Blakk Glass, Pixelpussy.

Rate: (7).

Label: www.cleropatrarecords.com / www.facebook.com/CleopatraRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-industrial, industrial-rave.

Background/Info: Pixelpussy is back on track and this after a hiatus of four years. Set up by ‘Sir Kitty Meow-Meow’ aka Daemon Chadeau, I discovered this American solo-project by his first two albums released on Moonslave Radio. Pixelpussy, which defines their sound as ‘meower noise’ joined hands with Wicked Wonderland Empire to unleash this third opus revealing 10 new songs plus 3 remixes.

Content: Pixelpussy remains pretty faithful to the ingredients used on both previous albums “This Is Meower Noise” and “Das Mewntz”. This is an old-fashioned minded electro-industrial sound carried by danceable rhythms and distorted sounds. It reminds me of some 90s projects, which were often inspired by the industrial sound of Dive, but with an extra danceable element on top.

The songs are made of repetitive loops and spoken samplings. However the music sounds more sophisticated and elaborate than the average production in the genre. There are several passages revealing manipulated sound treatments like somewhat acid-like filtered sounds and little bleeps.

The final part of the work features remixes by W.A.S.T.E., Satyr Co and Code OOO.

+ + + : Pixelpussy is not reinventing electro-industrial music, but accomplished a noticeable opus that will make you dance on the powerful and somewhat transcendental rhythms. The samplings add some diversity to the work and I especially like the Spanish samplings running through “Mr. Danger”. Another song I want to tip is “Irritable Broadcast Syndrome”, which is more elaborate with great sound handlings.

– – – : I didn’t get a similar surprise as on the debut-album “This Is Meower Noise” although it reminds a cool and well-crafted production. I’m just missing an absolute hit while I also expected a bit more from the remixes. They should have been remixed by Pow[d]er Pussy; this would have been fun!

Conclusion: Be careful and never buy a cat in a sack; it can be a dangerous and merciless kitty especially when it’s called Pixelpussy. This is a fully enjoyable electro-industrial release.

Best songs: “Irritable Broadcast Syndrome”, “Mr. Danger”, “Implanted, “Mewsik Whore”, “Austerity”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/meowernoise

Label: www.facebook.com/wickedwonderlandempire

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com