Contrastate — Handbags & DADA
The music generally consists of bleak drones, which sound like they were created on synthesizers, other keyboards, and electro-acoustic sources. Most of the tracks have vocals, which are best described as speeches. These are intoned in a deep, portentous tone, and range from a whisper to a rant.
The first track, Perhaps It Comes Out of the Black Sea sets the tone for the album. It starts off with a dark, uneventful drone which goes on for a few minutes, setting the backdrop for the vocals, which take the form of a very serious speech. The vocals are so solemn and over the top that they are almost unintentionally funny. Unfortunately, this track is basically a template for most of the remainder of the album.
There are two exceptions to the rule; Like a Saint on a Stake includes no vocals. It’s more palatable than the vocal pieces, but it’s still not very exciting. It’s a simple instrumental which includes shrieking synths underlayed with a drone. The last track, The Repust Sal, which clocks in at 21 minutes, is the most interesting track on the album. It’s an unreleased track which was recorded in 2000, and was performed by a four piece lineup which included James Machin and Jimmy Maravela in addition to the core duo of Stephen Miexner and Jonathan Grieve. There is some tasteful percussion at the beginning, and some word-less vocals, which are actually kind of sung, rather than intoned. Thankfully, there are no speeches.
It would be easy to say that the material on Handbags and DADA has simply aged poorly. I suspect their fan base will find plenty to enjoy here, but to me this is a pretty tedious affair.