review: Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing.

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

ATP Recordings

Fuck Buttons (don't worry, you'll grow to love it) are a two piece experimental noise group who formed in Bristol in 2004. The band - Andrew Hung and Benjamin John Power - successfully combine nihilistic noise-tendencies with melodic rhythms to create a sounds that is very special. Street Horrrsing, their incredible debut offering was originally available on the bands website (under a now-forgotten alternate title) before they were snapped up by ATP recordings in 2007. Limited edition 7" single Bright Tomorrow was released to much critical acclaim last November, resulting in the band featuring in many "hot tip" lists at the turn of the year. The duos surprisingly welcoming mix of dreamy melody and abrasive climax has evoked comparisons to Yo La Tengo, Ministry, Black Dice and My Bloody Valentine. Yet Fuck Buttons sound is highly unique, and like I have already said, very very special.

For 50 minutes spread over six tracks, Fuck Buttons have built an album upon blunt and simplistic repetition of metronomic drum-machine, chugging synth, blissful keyboards and distorted screams. This sounds like a formula for tedium, however the album seems to get stronger with every listen. Long chords drift over oscillating tones and pounding beats, sounds and ideas repeat constantly, yet Street Horrrsing never sounds redundant. From the pulsing drone of opener Sweet Love For Planet Earth to the dissolving loop of album closer Colours Move, vigorously sticking to what has been described as "devout repetition", Fuck Buttons have crafted a spectacular record. The production of Street Horrrsing was in good hands - recorded by John Cummings of Mogwai and mastered by Bob Weston of Shellac, its hard to see how the album couldn't of been good anyway..

Now, I do have the tendency to get caught up in excitement, thats fo' sho. However, I've had Street Horrrsing on repeat for about 4 hours now, and I can honestly say it's one of the most exciting albums I've heard in a while, and I do advise that you buy it. Now. 

9/10.

mp3: Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow