Search - Attrition :: Jeopardy Maze

The culmination of everything the band has built up before!.

04/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ATTRITION The Jeopardy Maze (Projekt) It has been fifteen years since the release of Attrition's first album. Instead of sounding like a tired band at the end of their career, The Jeopardy Maze is the culmination of everything the band has built up before, sparked with a fresh vitality and a sense of calm confidence. If anything, I would go so far as to say this is probably the strongest release we have seen yet from this British outfit. Martin Bowes is the main force behind Attrition, as he writes everything, programs it, mixes it and sings on it. Aiding him is Julia Waller, who adds her beautiful voice to most of the tracks, and Frack Dematteis, who does an equally superb job blending his viola into the mix. The interplay between Martin's deep, ashen vocals and Julia's operatic approach is the main appeal of Attrition, as they work together to drive home memorable tracks like "Waste Not, Want..." and "The Illuminator." Musically, The Jeopardy Maze is all over the place. From dark ambient instrumentals, filled with menace and beauty, to more up-tempo (but still eerie) dance songs, Attrition handle all the styles with precision and sequences them in a logical and eminently listenable fashion. The diverse elements are even brought together in one song, "I Am a Thief," with equal aplomb. The band somehow manages to incorporate elements from gothic, industrial, ambient, and techno music without coming close to being pigeonholed in any particular style. This isn't the kind of album you're going to properly enjoy cruising down I-90 or cleaning out your refrigerator. You need to be able to sit down in a darkened room and really listen to it, feel it. If you haven't heard Attrition yet, but are a fan of bands like Die Form or some of the Projekt bands, The Jeopardy Maze is a definite must. [Daniel Hinds]"