REVIEW: Pop Will Eat Itself, Amalgamation (Nothing)
- Bob Gajarsky
British sound pioneers Pop Will Eat Itself have returned to their old sound on a new label, Trent Reznor's Nothing Records, with their 7 song Amagalamation E.P.
The first single, "R.S.V.P.", is typical PWEI material with a solid dance beat. Alternative clubs should jump all over this track and keep dancegoers happy for months to come; the E.P. not only features the single version of this song, but also the Apollo 440 12" version, remixed by Fluke and co-P.I.L. founder Jah Wobble.
PWEI doesn't let up the contoversy on the other standout track, "Ich Bin Ein Auslander". The lines "When they come to ethnically cleanse me / Will you speak out? / Will you defend me?" speaks volumes for the band's disgust for the world climate while again incorporating the driving dance beat which has made the band famous.
For those who aren't already familiar with the Poppies, the band has released a total of 6 albums; the sixth one was a U.K.-only greatest hits compilation, 16 Different Flavors of Hell. Bands most similar to the PWEI style are Nine Inch Nails, the Wonder Stuff, and Public Image Limited. The E.P. will be issued in the United States on July 19, with a full length release to follow in September.
(Additional note: in the U.K., the band is signed to Infectious Records).
Track listing: R.S.V.P. (7", Apollo 12" Remix); Ich Bin Ein Auslander (LP version, 12"); Familus Horribilus; Intense; CPI #2. Time: 40:43
