Reviewed by Andy Long

Droning fuzzbox guitar and slick bass dominate this album from Michael Knott's LSU (Lifesavers Underground). He is not afraid of addressing controversial issues and here touches on sickness, suicide, blasphemy and abortion. Pretty heavy huh? The album is a musical curiosity shop featuring an operatic female vocal on "Hummingbird", the lyrics of which are repeated in Italian, French and German. Knott's beautifully deep melancholic voice on other tracks is reminiscent of Depeche Mode or Bauhaus, but occasionally his anger bursts through and bites you with searing truth. The story of drummer Chuck Cummings' (now with Uthanda) all too brief spell with Split level is recounted in "Chucky". The general feel is much more haunting than the 'Poplife' album but equally compulsive.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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