rest_in_pieces
10-10-2004, 07:59 PM
Curve - Cuckoo (1993)
http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~pmarin/images/dids/cuckoo.gif
Curve are:
Dean Garcia: Instrumentation, Programming
Toni Halliday: Vocals
Reccommended for listeners of: Orgy, Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, Snake River Conspiracy.
Reccommended tracks for download: Crystal, Missing Link, Superblaster
In a way, its easy and hard to sum up Curve in one album. On the one hand, they tend to be very formulaic, and despite being in action for well over a decade, havent drastically altered their style. On the other, A collection of a couple of the strong tracks from each album (and numerous EPs and internet-only releases) would make for one formidable listening experience.
However, if I were forced to pick a favourite disc, Cuckoo would be my choice.
1. Missing Link
Probably the heaviest track on the album, making it an appropriate choice to open it with. Breaks out with an (if slightly too quiet) Rammstein-reminiscent guitar riff, then introducing slighty 80's style percussion, this song, like many of Curve's efforts, has a satisfying chug to it. Nice driving music.
2. Crystal
Spine tingling and sinister, what Curve definitely do best. Dean's skill as a multi-instrumentalist are truly showcased here, making brilliant use of textures with effect tinged bass and guitar and also the haunting electronic samples. Toni's silky vocals are the icing on the cake. Combined, they never fail to put a shiver up my spine.
3. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
Maintaining a mid-tempo chug via Dean's bass with the guitar simply for atmospherics until the chorus. The vocals are used nicely to add appeal to the track.
4. All of one
A little more upbeat than the previous two tracks, but somehow weaker. Although not necessarily bad, it can be highly tempting just to skip it. It lacks the atmosphere present on the songs before it.
5. Unreadable Communication
Another strong track, feeding heavily off the dark atmosphere it generates. The subtle percussion and echoey electronics provide the perfect base for Toni's silky voice. Starting off slow and sinister, it builds up to a more lively interlude then winds down again.
6. Turkey Crossing
Another mid-tempo chug style song. Not a 'strong' track when stood next to some others on the album, but not bad in any way. Standard Curve.
7. Superblaster
One of the tracks featuring live drums. Correctly chosen as a single, it is more spirited than most songs on the CD, has a catchy hook and good sing-along vocals.
8. Left of Mother
As close as Curve will ever get to acoustic. Backed with an undistorted (but not clean) guitar track and a string arrangement yet still using some subtle synths for effect. Not what Toni and Dean do best but a good break nonetheless.
9. Sweetest Pie
Reminiscent of 'All of One', not particularly bad but just not enough when offered with the better tracks on this CD.
10. Cuckoo
Slow industrial percussion and distorted guitar backing track. Unfortunately, it's let down by its lack of variation. Although, it's got a good 'ending' quality to it. The sort of song that would be played while the credits roll after a movie.
Album score: 4.2/5
As I mentioned before, it's hard to do Curve justice based on one album, so look out for my reviews of the others.
http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~pmarin/images/dids/cuckoo.gif
Curve are:
Dean Garcia: Instrumentation, Programming
Toni Halliday: Vocals
Reccommended for listeners of: Orgy, Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, Snake River Conspiracy.
Reccommended tracks for download: Crystal, Missing Link, Superblaster
In a way, its easy and hard to sum up Curve in one album. On the one hand, they tend to be very formulaic, and despite being in action for well over a decade, havent drastically altered their style. On the other, A collection of a couple of the strong tracks from each album (and numerous EPs and internet-only releases) would make for one formidable listening experience.
However, if I were forced to pick a favourite disc, Cuckoo would be my choice.
1. Missing Link
Probably the heaviest track on the album, making it an appropriate choice to open it with. Breaks out with an (if slightly too quiet) Rammstein-reminiscent guitar riff, then introducing slighty 80's style percussion, this song, like many of Curve's efforts, has a satisfying chug to it. Nice driving music.
2. Crystal
Spine tingling and sinister, what Curve definitely do best. Dean's skill as a multi-instrumentalist are truly showcased here, making brilliant use of textures with effect tinged bass and guitar and also the haunting electronic samples. Toni's silky vocals are the icing on the cake. Combined, they never fail to put a shiver up my spine.
3. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
Maintaining a mid-tempo chug via Dean's bass with the guitar simply for atmospherics until the chorus. The vocals are used nicely to add appeal to the track.
4. All of one
A little more upbeat than the previous two tracks, but somehow weaker. Although not necessarily bad, it can be highly tempting just to skip it. It lacks the atmosphere present on the songs before it.
5. Unreadable Communication
Another strong track, feeding heavily off the dark atmosphere it generates. The subtle percussion and echoey electronics provide the perfect base for Toni's silky voice. Starting off slow and sinister, it builds up to a more lively interlude then winds down again.
6. Turkey Crossing
Another mid-tempo chug style song. Not a 'strong' track when stood next to some others on the album, but not bad in any way. Standard Curve.
7. Superblaster
One of the tracks featuring live drums. Correctly chosen as a single, it is more spirited than most songs on the CD, has a catchy hook and good sing-along vocals.
8. Left of Mother
As close as Curve will ever get to acoustic. Backed with an undistorted (but not clean) guitar track and a string arrangement yet still using some subtle synths for effect. Not what Toni and Dean do best but a good break nonetheless.
9. Sweetest Pie
Reminiscent of 'All of One', not particularly bad but just not enough when offered with the better tracks on this CD.
10. Cuckoo
Slow industrial percussion and distorted guitar backing track. Unfortunately, it's let down by its lack of variation. Although, it's got a good 'ending' quality to it. The sort of song that would be played while the credits roll after a movie.
Album score: 4.2/5
As I mentioned before, it's hard to do Curve justice based on one album, so look out for my reviews of the others.