http://www.myspace.com/holyfuck
As far as electronic music goes, Holy Fuck ranks amongst the preeminent for their experimental approach. The band is probably more likely to use a lawn mower than a laptop to produce a groove. Practically the whole effort of the band is to create electronic music absent of most modern looping and sampling techniques. It’s only natural that a band so focused on an organic approach to the creation process would record their third record, Latin (Young Turks and XL Records), which can easily be thought of (though not strictly) as city night music, in a barn in Ontario. While the band has had a number of line-up changes in the past few years, Latin was recorded with a consistent touring line-up. Additionally, the band got an all-star cast of assistance on the production of the record, which was engineered by Graham Walsh and mixed by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene), D. Sardy (Johnny Cash, NIN), Eli Janney (Wilco), Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Primal Scream) and Holy Fuck themselves. The result, as you might imagine, is air-tight, entrancing dance music, and at a higher fidelity than previous recordings. Latin presents a polished and progressive electronic group in full stride.
The album’s centerpiece and single, “Latin America” plays as a perfect proof-point of the tour de force this record offers. It grips you with intensity, interrupted by brief moments of clarity that hang and swirl in the air until imploding back into its primal energy. Other tracks like “SHT MTN” oscillate between sheer chaos and wonderment, like some fantastical, high speed chase. “Stilletos” gallops at break-neck pace for a more classic techno number, radiating with so much power you can taste the sweat as it peaks with arena-filling hugeness.
The drum and bass form a juggernaut on this album, with lock-tight steadiness and rupturing break beats. Droning and swelling synth offers accompanying texture, escalating and receding with a range of feedback. The mood of these instrumentals is often serious and competitive, maybe changing tempo but seldom letting up. That’s not to say it isn’t fun, cause its enjoyable as hell. Its like watching a cocky rabbit outrun the wolves. The layers and calculated build ups create a highly engaging atmosphere worth freaking out to. More than anything else this is a rhythmic record. Latin beats on with there’s-no-turning-back propulsion, so be sure to tie your shoes before you start tossing your arms up.
- matthew hunt
