Leftfield: Alternative Light Source (Infectious)

 |   |  <1 min read

Leftfield: Shaker Obsession
Leftfield: Alternative Light Source (Infectious)

Leftfield were always one of the most interesting and innovative British electronica-cum-dance acts (remember the duo's association with John Lydon 20 years ago?).

Now they are down to just founder Neil Barnes and hip guest vocalists (many electro-processed beyond recognition) for the first album under the name since Rhythm and Stealth in '99.

Coincidentally that title might equally apply to this collection which is equal parts slow boil (the eerie Storms End, the headphone sonics of the title track) and widescreen synth-driven thumpers (Shaker Obsession) designed for the biggest clubs and summer festivals in Britain right now.

The opener Bad Radio achieves both and is a compelling intro to the other nine pieces, one of which has band-of-the-moment Sleaford Mods' singer Jason Williams doin' 'is street smart rap over a terrific bassline and staccato percussive synth stabs on Head And Shoulders, innit.

There's no doubt this is music to be experienced live than in your own home (unless you like to vacuum furiously or need to shut out the noise of jackhammers and weed-eaters next door).

But when the hefty beats kick in (Universal Everything) you feel driven to do something.

Even if it's only vacuuming.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

The Louvin Brothers: My Baby's Gone 1955-64 (Raven/EMI)

The Louvin Brothers: My Baby's Gone 1955-64 (Raven/EMI)

About 15 years ago (at least) I saw a short-lived Auckland band The Dribbling Darts of Love which was fronted by Matthew Bannister, formerly of Sneaky Feelings. I'd always liked Matthew's music and... > Read more

Zbigniew Preisner: Silence, Night and Dreams (EMI)

Zbigniew Preisner: Silence, Night and Dreams (EMI)

Composer Preisner is best known for his dramatic soundtrack work -- but this gentle exploration of Biblical texts owes more to austere and evocative meditative music, which makes that album title... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK; THE TOURING YEARS, a Beatles doco by RON HOWARD (Universal DVD/BluRay)

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK; THE TOURING YEARS, a Beatles doco by RON HOWARD (Universal DVD/BluRay)

Just as there were predicable howls of disapproval from the jazz elite when Clint Eastwood announced he was making a bio-pix of Charlie Parker (Dirty Harry taking aim at Bird?), so too were... > Read more

Liz Phair: Exile in Guyville (1993)

Liz Phair: Exile in Guyville (1993)

Tribute albums are far from uncommon these days. In fact when you see there are tributes to a band that never existed (The Rutles) and The Muppet Show you could argue this one has run its course.... > Read more