Review Revue: Minimal Compact - Raging Souls

This week's post is actually, completely by coincidence, somewhat timely! I had somehow missed the news that the English punk/post-punk heroes Wire had just released a new album called Wire (because once you've been a band for almost forty years, why not go the self-titled route at long last?). The band, and singer Colin Newman, have had a few different phases of activity and inactivity over the decades, but we seem to be in the midst of a fairly busy period, which is certainly good news.

During one of their earlier down times, Newman worked on various other projects, one of which was producing this LP by the Israeli band Minimal Compact. This is the first time I've seen DJ responses start so positively and then turn back on themselves quite so dramatically. Perhaps something about this record didn't sit well after repeated listens, as excited as they initially were about it.

"Synth pop rock. Moody and on the serious side of things. Produced by Colin Newman. Recorded in Brussels. Haunting melodies."

"Colin all over this. Compositionally very similar to other Newman produced groups (i.e. V. Prunes) as well as M. Compact's debut. I'm biased but I thin this is how it's done."

"Cab Volt Marc is here too!"

"All I have to say is, this should be in H!"

"E-yowch."

"Who-who's this Colin Newman guy, anyway?"

"Funny you should ask that."

"Wow, this doesn't sound much like their other stuff. Good though."

"This blows, kids. Colin should be ashamed."

"I'm starting to feel the same way. All production - little music..."

"Yes yes yes! Boring artsy farts types thinking they're radical - wow, I'm impressed."

"Make up your fucking minds."

"Minds can't DO that, not really."

"Oh?"

"I have rather mixed feelings, myself."

"Preettyy slick... the only think almost rough enough is 2-4, Shouts + Kisses. Other album (EP?) much better... almost rough enough."