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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Toby Frith
Format:Audio CD
Although it's only 31 minutes long, there's 11 superior songs of synthpop on this album that you'll find it difficult to better anytime soon. This is a cracking elegy to the art of musical brevity, fused with some powerful emotions due to Maus's captivating performance.
Originally a part of the Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti lineup, Maus is also a professor of political language, but took time to study composing as well. It shows, because "We must become" is littered with glorious hooks, middle eights, soaring choruses and most importantly, a wide range of musical textures, indicative of someone with a proper training in the art of composition. At the centre of it though is Maus's own voice - an addictive mix of Ian Curtis's baritone and idiosyncratic character. Add some compelling and addictive vocal refrains, from the staccato spasm of "Pussy is not a matter of fact" to the slow ballad of "Cop Killer" and the result is a varied, addictive and vigorous album. He is never less than compelling at all times, although it must be said that his breathless political polemic in the press release seems a bit out of sync with the simplicity of the pop album.
Initially it's not easy to escape the comparison of Joy Division. "Quantum Leap" sounds like an outtake of "Shadowplay", but this isn't a rehash of Factory records devotion - Maus's programming of this album means that you swoop between many themes and sounds. Album opener "Streetlight" is suffused with a harpischord-style arpeggio and glacial echo that sets the scene for half an hour of elegant, energetic electronic pop music.
There's time for beauty too - "Hey Moon" rolls off Maus's tongue with a slickness that isn't in line with some of the lo-fi elements elsewhere, making the contrast all the stronger.... Read more ›
Originally a part of the Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti lineup, Maus is also a professor of political language, but took time to study composing as well. It shows, because "We must become" is littered with glorious hooks, middle eights, soaring choruses and most importantly, a wide range of musical textures, indicative of someone with a proper training in the art of composition. At the centre of it though is Maus's own voice - an addictive mix of Ian Curtis's baritone and idiosyncratic character. Add some compelling and addictive vocal refrains, from the staccato spasm of "Pussy is not a matter of fact" to the slow ballad of "Cop Killer" and the result is a varied, addictive and vigorous album. He is never less than compelling at all times, although it must be said that his breathless political polemic in the press release seems a bit out of sync with the simplicity of the pop album.
Initially it's not easy to escape the comparison of Joy Division. "Quantum Leap" sounds like an outtake of "Shadowplay", but this isn't a rehash of Factory records devotion - Maus's programming of this album means that you swoop between many themes and sounds. Album opener "Streetlight" is suffused with a harpischord-style arpeggio and glacial echo that sets the scene for half an hour of elegant, energetic electronic pop music.
There's time for beauty too - "Hey Moon" rolls off Maus's tongue with a slickness that isn't in line with some of the lo-fi elements elsewhere, making the contrast all the stronger.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
John Maus is a strange one. This is music which resists being
nailed-down to any particular genre. It leaps and dives and
dithers all over the place. It just won't settle down and behave!
Just when you think you've "got it" it slips off somewhere else.
This is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and guessing hard.
One moment he's coming on strong like a latter-day Jim Morrison
('...And The Rain') and in the next The Stranglers seem to have
been reincarnated in a zoot suit and fedora ('Quantum Leap')!
'Hey Moon', however, is a simple love song of such radiant beauty
that you feel your heart going all soft and mushy as you listen.
'Matter Of Fact' wouldn't sound out of place as an alternative
theme tune to The Munsters (terrific bats-in-the-belfry organ!)
and 'Head For The Country' is curiously disco-friendly in a three-
legs-on-the-dancefloor kind of way; a little bit Zappa, a whole lot
dizzy mirrorball! (Are you following me here?!) This is big fun stuff!
Final track 'Believer' is a cracking anthem built on pounding bass
and shimmering synth. The fact that you can hardly understand a word
doesn't matter a jot. Mr Maus signs off with a tip-top magical flourish.
Bizarre never tasted so good.
Recommended.
nailed-down to any particular genre. It leaps and dives and
dithers all over the place. It just won't settle down and behave!
Just when you think you've "got it" it slips off somewhere else.
This is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and guessing hard.
One moment he's coming on strong like a latter-day Jim Morrison
('...And The Rain') and in the next The Stranglers seem to have
been reincarnated in a zoot suit and fedora ('Quantum Leap')!
'Hey Moon', however, is a simple love song of such radiant beauty
that you feel your heart going all soft and mushy as you listen.
'Matter Of Fact' wouldn't sound out of place as an alternative
theme tune to The Munsters (terrific bats-in-the-belfry organ!)
and 'Head For The Country' is curiously disco-friendly in a three-
legs-on-the-dancefloor kind of way; a little bit Zappa, a whole lot
dizzy mirrorball! (Are you following me here?!) This is big fun stuff!
Final track 'Believer' is a cracking anthem built on pounding bass
and shimmering synth. The fact that you can hardly understand a word
doesn't matter a jot. Mr Maus signs off with a tip-top magical flourish.
Bizarre never tasted so good.
Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Adams
Format:Audio CD
I bought this on a hungover whim. Yeah, I'd heard a lot of good things about it, but I wasn't expecting it to be so damn enjoyable. It's a real grower too, getting better & better after every listen. Very catchy, very fun albeit in a slightly gloomy way and just very, very good, lo-fi tinged synth-pop. Highly recommended.
By Fozzy2002
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I came across John Maus in London and became a real fan of his music. I hope will do a lot of records more
Wuli
Wuli
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Doomy synthpop it may be, but it is catchy stuff. Highlights: 'Believer' and 'Quantum Leap'. Almost accessible compared to his earlier work.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
the son of one of my friends recommended this, and it is good to listen to. a small discovery for me
By L. MONKS
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Noticed there were no reviews for this so just wanted to quickly mention how great it is. At times redolent of Joy Division, Gang of Four, OMD, Felt and a load of other artists that you should have in your collection, and yet it also manages to sound very contemporary. Give it a go, superb.
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