Battle Acts
"These are the sounds schizophrenics hear..." The Mogwai comparison is obvious, but Meanwhile, Back In Communist Russia's sampled mission statement introduces a far more sophisticated system of contradictions than the quiet-loud dynamic. Dealing in dynamism and subtlety, physicality and perception, fundamental oppositions permeate the band; as vocalist Emily intones "I don't believe in violence", guitarist Mark Halloran attacks his instrument in an instinctive display of direct action. The poetry of empty days and wasted nights, Emily's monologues are rhythmically integrated into Orbital-style beats veiled by the Death In Vegas shroud; there's an organic evolution allowing MBICR to activate the moment rather than merely inhabit it, transcending documentation to become the vital threat their music acknowledges. Bypassing the dissipation of meaning risked in post-rock's extremes of repetition, MBICR riotously disperse as a single microphone, swinging metronomically under the flickering strobes, maintains their heartbeat. "Things worth risking for"? Like the oppressed political dream their moniker suggests, MBICR are worth dying for....
Music: Albums
Those of you not living in our fair capital are probably unaware of London Xpress, a show on the big smoke's only 'alternative' radio station Xfm. The concept is simple: every Sunday afternoon nuphonic records invite a different act into the studio to do what they like. Over the last year the program played host to a veritable who's who of the underground dance scene, from Arthur Baker to the Chemical Brothers, Andrew Weatherall to Squarepusher. Even Pulp have had a go. ...
Music: Singles
Steve Lamacq has hailed Six Ray Sun as one of the best unsigned acts around, and while that might start alarm bells ringing in some quarters, the band's debut single does nothing to dispel the accolade. Menacing riffs build up to a powerful chorus, where the singer's wail of "Gotta get some valium" offers a rallying cry for stressed out finalists everywhere. The only disappointing thing about Bad Batz Maru is that its release is limited to a thousand copies, but hopefully it won't be long before a label snaps Six Ray Sun up, and they should then start to get the wider publicity and recognition this single deserves....
Music: Interview
IMSOC's Battle of the Bands has always thrown up a decidedly mixed standard, but rarely has a band as heavily-lauded as finalists of this year's competition, MBiCR appeared at the Point in this annual reminder of why so many student bands fail to make the grade. And the boys and girl of MBiCR certainly know it. There is a sense of confidence about them; not an attitude of arrogance, but their self-belief is certainly quite apparent. Clearly, the result of this competition, though disappointing, is not one likely to haunt them for the rest of their career, since, as guitarist Mark Halloran points out, "we've still got five days of recording, we've got a Peel session, and the other band probably deserve it". Beneath the magnanimity in defeat and respect given to victors Malkovich however, you can't help but come to the conclusion that MBiCR feel like they've been dealt with unfairly, suspecting that the fact that they already have a deal on Tinfoil Records meant that the judges would favour Malkovich, since they would gain more from winning. "Whoever's best should win it. If we're not the best then that's fair enough, because we're not that good; we're quite good, and lots of people seem to like us. But we're not like anything special". ...