REVIEW: Therapy?, Suicide Pact - You First (Ark 21)
- Andrew Duncan
Therapy? has always been known to break the boundaries of the hard rock community, treating the music more as art than as gyration. The Irish group invaded the States with a brilliant, schizophrenic noise-rock introduction (_Caucasian Psychosis) that would make Charles Manson grin. The album had a punk-rock edge with frightening lyrics, mostly about introspection gone wrong, love lost and serial killers.
They packed such a punch that A&M Records signed them, releasing Nurse and Troublegum. Both albums cleaned up their grittiness and added a poppy edge, while vocalist Andy Cairns wrote some of the catchiest lyrics around ("Screw that, forget about that, I don't want to think about anything like that," later ending with, "I've got nothing to do, but to get screwed up on you.") Their style of lyricism wrapped around guitar hooks that would leave an imprint in the mind. As the band progressed, each album would take a slight turn.
Even with their trademark sound, they were hard to pinpoint and became unpredictable. Infernal Love proved this best as the band introduced electronics to their sound. It was like Christmas and not knowing what was in the presents under the tree. It's Christmas again and Therapy? is back with yet another knot to their twisted journey.
This time the band relapses back to their noisy days. The concept sounds promising, as Caucasian Psychosis proved to be their best work. However, the album was recorded too quickly (a mere two-and-a half weeks), and Cairns's voice unfortunately falls through. "He's Not That Kind Of Girl" sounds like Van Halen's "Ice Cream Man" sung by a burnt-out blues singer. "Wall Of Mouths" demonstrates the Therapy? we all know and love. Cairns wails, "Got nothing to say, I'm not talking to you," in an attitude that resembles early Iggy Pop. Disappointingly, "Hate Kill Destroy," based on Nietzche's writings, and "Jam Jar Jail" are annoying.
Like always, the musicianship is above par and the instrumental "Big Cave In" is eerily exciting, filled with offbeat timing and powerful dynamics. "Little Tongues First" is the hit maker of the album with a video to follow (an enhanced version is included with the CD). The band ends on a positive note with the destructively bouncy "Sister."
Suicide Pact is shaky and unstable. The band has more potential, as they have proved it in the past, even without the commercial-pop aspect. Unfortunately, they were not able to maintain it this time around.
