Search - Prolapse :: Backsaturday

Ah wis thir tae!

poniesforchrist | Brooklyn, NY United States | 03/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"prolapse is one of a very small number of bands in the world making exceptional music that refuses to compromise or hide behind some pomo posturing...they are brilliant, basically...(although i wonder if they haven't broken up, as i haven't heard from them since 'aeroplanes'...anyone know?)pavement should be "jealous"...their smirking becomes even more appallingly empty and irrelevant when listened to after a trip through prolapse-land...and i have no idea why the other review compares prolapse to mogwai (they're not even close, really), but the fall might be an accurate comparison...both bands are ferociously independent, fond of the droning rhythm and fearlessly experimental...i could have reviewed any of prolapse's excellent LPs before or after this one, but i began my devotion to them with 'backsaturday', so here goes...this record stomps the holy hell out of stereolab, so don't take that comparison to heart, either...from the skronking, sputtering groove that erupts in the first track, the wonderfully titled "mein minefield, mine landmine", to the caustic pop swirl of "TCR" to the frightening, minimalist deathmarch of "framen fr. cesar", prolapse seem incapable of running out of ideas...all their other albums are equally creative and spirited...there is rage and vitriol to be sure, but these kids from leicester are clever to the nth degree...a glance at the song titles can tell you that...but, rather than succumbing to the smug safety net that malkmus and others use, prolapse throw their entrails and fluids into the mix, creating exquisitely visceral music that is thrilling to both the brain, heart, and pelvis...the vocals are also terrific...mick derrick's spiteful scottish slur and linda steelyard's melancholy, almost robotic coo are utilized in many different, always dynamic ways with each other...here their dual vocals have quite a showcase on the amazing "flex"...for upwards of 15 minutes, to a backdrop of krautrocky pummelling, mick and linda rant and mutter and shout at each other -she: "i won't be happy 'til you die!" he: "ah will nevah (unintelligble)!"it's downright spinetingling to hear music so passionately made and performed, with not a nanosecond of pomposity or bloated "artistry"...these songs are lean and mean, tuneful and fearsome...prolapse cleaned up their sound a bit after 'backsaturday', but their fighting spirit remained on both terrific LPs following this...all their releases are a joy to listen to...they are not stereolab. they are not mogwai. they are not sonic youth. they are certainly not mogwai.they are (were?) prolapse, and if you appreciate razor-smart, feral/tuneful, marvelously creative, supremely twisted music of the highest order, then for heaven's sake...buy at least one of their superb records..."

5 originality stars for this brilliant, obscure band

Mendicant Pigeon | pdx, or United States | 12/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I suppose 'tis amazing that Prolapse managed to put out four whole albums considering their professed contempt for the popular sound. I'm glad they have though because I love each of them but the first. The terms describing this music might include: dark, angry, brooding, spastic, harsh, incomprehensible, energetic, manic, black, uplifting, bright and brash.
I love it though. I love it because they have discovered a way to produce sardonic pop music of a kind that simultaneosly sticks a thumb in the eye of pop music while employing its patterns to make really listenable, enjoyable music.
I think the lyrics of the songs have a lot to do with disatisfaction with one's life and life in the world today, but it is difficult to tell because of the driving beat, jangly guitars, distorted sound and abominable theatrical Scottish accent of the male lead. Whatever, though, one doesn't need to understand the words to love the way the band launches them and the choruses above the driving musical notes from their instruments. Prolapse creates avant garde beauty posing as punk rock dance music. This album in particular is notable because the interaction between the male and female leads is so intense and the contrast between their voices is unbelievably nice, ummm I mean not nice."