REVIEW: Hal (feat. Gillian Anderson), "Extremis" single (Virgin)

- Lee Graham Bridges

"Atom by atom, molecular beams / transport me away to the place of my dreams" is how Gillian Anderson begins her spoken vocals in the latest single, "Extremis," from Hal, a sound collaborative between UK "sound alchemists" Black State Choir, and Grill, a French metal outfit. The new single is an introduction to a double-CD compilation of tracks compiled by Anderson herself called Future -A Journey Through The Electronic Underground. As the title indicates, the album chronicles superior techno, ambient, trip-hop, and drum-n-bass from the past and present.

"Extremis" without Anderson's vocals would be a less than inspiring track. With the suddenly exploded number of electronic musicians trying to make a unique sonic statement, there is little room for Hal's too regular, unstimulating sound, at least as demonstrated in the single's original version. The backing track is made pedantic through the regularity in rhythm and sample purity, although the piano line is rather nice. If Hal is attempting to establish a more pop-like fagade, the effect is stultified. However, Anderson's breathy, whispered vocals will certainly put X-Files fetishists in utter bliss, not to mention mere bypassers. Even the most passive listener will take notice of Anderson's delivery of the final lines: "I don't want to hear about the future...I want to see it...I want to feel it...I wanna taste it."

Compared to the original version of the song, the remixes are much more animated, and unlike most CD singles, actually complement the original mix. The "download" mix enters with wicked low bass tones, returns to a semblence of the original, then busts open a healthy dose of drum-n-bass-esque beats. The "qatarra" remix is similarly energetic and even more evocative and dance-friendly.

The story of Hal is far from over, and any current impressions of the band's output are bound to change. A second single, "Ostiak," has been recorded, and a follow-up to 1996's Gorilla Conspiration is in the works, which is to feature the luminous Mona Soyoc, singer for France's Kas Product.