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  Satanicpornocultshop 
  Anorexia Gas Balloon
  (Sonore) 

   review by Vanessa Wang
  2004-07-30
Satanicpornocultshop: Anorexia Gas Balloon (Sonore)

Satanicpornocultshop is yet another group of talented musicians toying with the noisepop-meets-IDM genre. Their latest collaboration, Anorexia Gas Balloon, is a varied mix of covered and original songs that pulls the listener from Japanese noise to disco and then over to Fat Boy Slim-esque funky cut-ups. The covers are innovative; one would be hard-pressed to find King Missile's original drone in "Detachable P," for example, or the overproduction of "Can't Get You Out of My Head" in "Kylie Minogue." The latter is no Clear Channel party remix; sure, the essence of the song remains, but Satanipornocultshop has mucked around with the beats, fuzzed the effects, and turned the denouement into a delightful layering of squelchy beats and breathy vocal samples over the original house beat. "Osui Nomasare" is highly entertaining for Duran Duran fans ("Save a Prayer"), though it may take a while to hear the brilliant original once again. These fans may, however, be sated by the next track, "Dred Mosque," which adheres more strongly to the original chord structure and uses the same bass line.

Girly, creepy, poppy, and a bit trendy, Anorexia Gas Balloon is not unlike a collection of Blythe dolls. Songs like "Watasi No Shoumei-san" reflect controlled chaos. The many layers of sounds and rhythms are well-balanced and mixed. However, as the cd progresses, it's difficult to follow the flow of the album. The disc is more of an eclectic compilation of random songs that Satanicponocultshop have put together than a synthesized, well-planned collection. Though the songs are inspired and interesting, the entire album itself is not necessarily listenable (at least, not all the way through). DJs and mix tape connoisseurs, however, will want to keep this compilation on hand to mix into their sets. Some of the songs feature entertaining and non-electroclash references to the '80s that the dance floor will appreciate.





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