|
For the sense of some clarity—everything associated
with ADULT. is a little weird.
This is a good thing because ADULT.’s brand
of electro eccentrics is refreshing. From the silent
period in their name to Nicola Kuperus’
bizarre photography that adorns each album cover;
something is quite unusual with them. The Detroit-based
duo, rounded out by Adam Lee Miller,
want to create music that people have extreme reactions
to. Their oddball mix of bratty electro-punk is
just the recipe. Believe me, if raw techno mixed
with robotic drony vocals and intertwining synth
swashes doesn’t ignite a response, not much
will.
With their latest mutation, Gimmie Trouble,
ADULT. adds some new ingredients. It seems like
a continuation of their Thrill Jockey debut EP
D.U.M.E. released earlier this year. Except
now that they have added a third member, Sam
Consiglio, their sound has become even
stranger. The addition of guitar allows Gimmie
Trouble to feel more spastic and more punk-ish.
Now ADULT. sounds more like a snarling dance-punk
group.
“Bad Ideas” blends dirty bass and
gritty guitar lines over whacky electronic squeals,
while “Scare Up The Birds” is much
of the same: bouncy bass driven music over chirpy
electronics and minimal drum machine pulses. On
Gimmie Trouble the synth is the accompaniment
instead of the main course, evidenced on the different
sound generated on “Turn Into Fever”
or “Disappoint The Youth.” Kuperus
has altered her vocal delivery too. Instead of
the clinical vocal robotics of ADULT.’s
past, she belts out more of a sexy-wailing type
of delivery. Like on “Strange Mistakes,”
and the chorus: “What Did-You Do / Strange
Mistakes,” Kuperus bends the pitch of her
voice into a sinister yowl. This is more convincing
with the pure pained emotion she conveys. This
also gives life into the notion of the trio’s
obvious punk-bent style.
The funny thing is though—even as Gimmie
Trouble’s punk influences bubble to
the surface, the contents never boil over. ADULT.
still sounds very much like ADULT. Only now, with
the new blend, their music sounds much more urgent.
Call it tweeked-out electro with a nasty punk
twist.
www.adultperiod.com
www.thrilljockey.com
-Doug Wittner, December 16, 2005
See More Reviews at our
Music Review Archive
|
