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09'02 |
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GUS GUS
Attention (H20020) Moonshine Music 2002 10 Tracks. 55mins32secs. Buy this CD on line now |
Ditching the incredible diversity of their two first albums, Gus Gus bring their music right back to the bare essentials. More focused and dense than Polydistortion or This Is Normal, Attention has a lot more in common with the original T-World sound. The two opening tracks assert this slight change of direction with aplomb. If the melodic treatment is familiar, the use of radical vintage electro/dance sounds and beats shows a more upfront approach. While Unnecessary still demonstrates some connections, especially with Believe or Polyesterday, it also sees the band venturing into more assertive grounds. The cheesy hook on David proudly drags the track back to 1984, whilst setting it firmly into today’s musical landscape at the same time. If it seems fashionable these days to draw inspiration from the eighties, Gus Gus can’t be accused of jumping in any kind of bandwagon. Their previous records already borrowed a lot from early electro, only to transform it into something resolutely modern and poetic. With Attention however, Gus Gus go further, defining new rules for their old game. If new singer Urdur Hakonardottir, aka Earth, doesn’t possess the same vocal flexibility and ethereal qualities as previous chanteuse Hafdis Huld, she has nevertheless perfectly embraced the band’s ethic and contributes to great extent to the general uplifting mood of the album. Contributions from former Gus Gus singer Daniel Agust, on the superb Desire, and Finn electro kitsch master Jimi Tenor, on writing and backing vocals duties on Call For The Wild, provide some interesting moments. In between, Gus Gus offer their own interpretation of early house with Dance With You and I.I.E, before returning to calmer territories towards the end of the album, concluding with the luscious Don’t Hide What You Feel.
The period of instability following the implosion of the original collective and the departure of some key members has incontestably shaken Gus Gus. If Attention doesn’t possess the same burning intensity as Polydistortion, Gus Gus have retained all the major elements of what made their music so singular in the first place, allowing them to develop their sound and explore new musical grounds.
| 01 | Unnecessary | 06 | I.I.E |
| 02 | David | 07 | Call Of The Wild |
| 03 | Desire | 08 | Detention |
| 04 | Attention | 09 | Your Moves Are Mine |
| 05 | Dance You Down | 10 | Don't Hide What You Feel |
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09'00 |
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GUS GUS VS T-WORLD
Gus Gus Vs T-World (CAD2K02CD) 4AD 2000 07 Tracks. 52mins46secs. |
T-World,
originally formed of DJ Herb Legowitz and computer geek Giggi Veira, with
the later addition of Alfred More, is the musical entity within Icelandic
cross-art collective Gus Gus. Already responsible for two essential records,
Polydistortion,
in 1997, and This Is Normal in 1999, Gus Gus members, 9 in total,
also officiate in filmmaking and photography.
T-World existed before Gus Gus, and already have had an underground hit with the dreamy Anthem a few years ago, despite the track never receiving a full release. This is now done. Also featured here is Purple, already present on Polydistortion. The rest of the album is more or less new material.
As much as Gus Gus is, before all, a pop combo, T-World influences are set in Detroit techno and deep house. Pneumatic beats and floating sounds set the pace for these instrumental tracks, devised as much for dance floors than for lounges and corridors.
It’s sometimes difficult to recognise here the elements that made songs like Polyesterday, Believe, Ladyshave or V.I.P. fine classics. But in the other hand, this album showcases what might be the sound of the next Gus Gus album, and is so perfectly written and produced that it quickly becomes essential.
T-World existed before Gus Gus, and already have had an underground hit with the dreamy Anthem a few years ago, despite the track never receiving a full release. This is now done. Also featured here is Purple, already present on Polydistortion. The rest of the album is more or less new material.
As much as Gus Gus is, before all, a pop combo, T-World influences are set in Detroit techno and deep house. Pneumatic beats and floating sounds set the pace for these instrumental tracks, devised as much for dance floors than for lounges and corridors.
It’s sometimes difficult to recognise here the elements that made songs like Polyesterday, Believe, Ladyshave or V.I.P. fine classics. But in the other hand, this album showcases what might be the sound of the next Gus Gus album, and is so perfectly written and produced that it quickly becomes essential.
| 01 | Anthem | 05 | Rosenberg |
| 02 | Northern Lights | 06 | Sleepytime |
| 03 | Earl Grey | 07 | Esja |
| 04 | Purple |
POLYDISTORTION 4AD 1997 Buy it on
line now
|
Oh
Gun Believe Polyesterday Barry Cold Breath '79 Why Rememberance Is Jesus Your Pal Purple _ |
THIS IS NORMAL 4AD 1999 Buy it on
line now
|
Ladyshave
Teenage Sensation Starlovers Superhuman Very Important People Bambi Snoozer Blue Mug Acid Milk Love Us Hate Dominique _ |
|
GUS GUS VS T-WORLD 4AD 2000 _ |
Anthem
Northern Lights Earl Grey Purple Rosenberg Sleepytime Esja _ |
|
ATTENTION Moonshine Music 2002 Buy it on line now |
Unnecessary
David Desire Attention Dance You Down I.I.E Call Of The Wild Detention Your Moves Are Mine Don't Hide What You Feel |
| GUS
GUS POLYNET
Good French site (text in English) giving a good insight on the Icelandic collective. |
| 4AD
The very good web site of the legendary UK label is full of information about the complete squad, past and present. |