REVIEW: Low Pop Suicide, The Death of Excellence (World Domination)

- Jon Steltenpohl

Low Pop Suicide is back with their second full album. The Death of Excellence sounds more like a blessed rebirth of gothic torture than the death of anything. With their latest line-up, Low Pop Suicide strips down to the atmospheric, bare bones sound that made bands such as Bauhaus and the like so appealing. The lyrics are about searching, failing, and self loathing. A quick look at the titles tells a story: "Almost Said", "Humbled", "More Than This". The struggle to satisfy an unfulfilled something keeps The Death of Excellence on an edge.

The three members of Low Pop Suicide have made an "in your face" album. While 1992's On the Cross of Commerce was muddy enough to hide most of the lyrics, The Death of Excellence is clear and plain. The drums, the bass and the vocals are spared of too many distracting effects boxes. In fact, "Zombie" appears to be a completely acoustic track. It's refreshing to hear a band make "live", non-sequenced studio music after it has been compared favorably to Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Still, even though they differ musically, Low Pop Suicide and these bands share the same emotional force and intensity in the way they play and sing.

On The Death of Excellence, Low Pop Suicide doesn't really hide their musical influences. They add a heaping dose of the Bauhaus (and splinters Peter Murphy and Love and Rockets), take a little spice from the driving beats of bands such as Ride and The Charlatans U.K. and simmer the whole mix like a slow Hendrix song.

However, while the influences of the past are certainly evident, Low Pop Suicide never becomes derivative. Their sound is simple. Rick Boston doesn't bother with cutesy imagery; he just sings it like it is. The band doesn't need show-off guitar solos or strange samples; they just play the music. Low Pop Suicide are atmospheric without being in the clouds; moody without begging for sympathy. In a word, Low Pop Suicide's music is honest.

If The Death of Excellence has any faults, it is the lack of an obvious radio-ready single. This isn't a bad thing, but it might not give you a chance to hear this album. "Life & Death" could probably be a hit, and check out "No Genius", the minute long send up of beat poets. You might listen for "Suicide Ego" to pop up on your college radio stations. Although probably written about the suicide of Low Pop Suicide's drummer, Jeff Ward, don't be surprised if DJ's play "Suicide Ego" in remembrance of Kurt Cobain.

With The Death of Excellence, Low Pop Suicide shows all of the desirable qualities of a band. They are honest both lyrically and musically. The picture Low Pop Suicide paints is black, futile, and sparse. It should appeal to old fans of the classic Goth-rock groups and new fans of this generation's growling doom and gloomers. These folks will find that The Death of Excellence fits right into their CD collection.

For more information on Low Pop Suicide or the World Domination label, contact World Domination Enterprises by e-mail at worlddom@netcom.com