REVIEW: XC-NN, XC-NN (Sony 550 Music)
- Bob Gajarsky
Several weeks ago, we reviewed the live performance of British group XC-NN (7/29 issue of Consumable) and openly wondered if the band's debut album would match up to the marvelous live performance. Well, I'm glad to report the verdict is in, and the answer is yes.
The British rock band was originally named CNN after the international news network; the band wanted "The name of a multinational or product, something fast or current". Just like the music.
Of course, the lawyers stepped in. How the big conglomerate heard of a band which had released one single (on the UK indie, Transglobal) is beyond me, but the joke was up. What to switch to when you're no longer CNN? XC-NN - and the name stuck.
The band consists of lead vocalist David Tomlinson, drummer Neill Lambert, Nick Witherick on bass and Tim Bricheno, formerly of All About Eve and Sisters of Mercy, on guitars.
When you hear Sisters of Mercy, the word "gothic" comes to mind. But when you hear XC-NN, gothic is the furthest thing from the mind. "Official" samples couple the tracks "She Comes Through The Fair" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful" with metal tracks; I suspect that there are many more unofficial samples throughout.
The first U.S. radio track, "Young, Stupid and White", dares to take on British popsters such as Brett Anderson (Suede), Mich Hucknall (Simply Red) and Jamiroquai by labelling them "young, stupid and white". The lyrics first bash their type by screaming "this ain't rock and roll" - it almost sounds like the Cult has been sampled in this track - and then storms in with the question "What do you do there in your ivory tower / bating in your golden shower?" It's sure not politically correct, but I doubt XC-NN cares.
"Biroland", the leadoff track on the disc, pays homage to some 1980's Killing Joke style riffs, while "Looking Forward", with guitars that sound like Jim Steinman on speed, has Tomlinson singing about looking forward to the day I stop breathing. Disparaging? Perhaps. Highly addictive music? You bet.
If you like Faith No More or the Cult, you'll love XC-NN.
