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4 out of 10
The Medullary Paralysis seems to realise and relish that they are somewhat difficult to pigeon hole. They also seem to be aware of the tension this position creates between discovering ’the new sound’ and actually finding an audience who want to listen to it.
By way of a cryptic clue they present us with the following manifesto; "You have an out-of-body experience when we mix The Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson. And Tears for Fears too. Indie industrial glam on the dance floor." (The Medullary Paralysis: 2009 http://themedullaryparalysis.com)
If you can possibly picture in your minds ears this cocktail, then play over the top of it Placebo, Aphex Twin, My Bloody Valentine and The Prodigy then you can start to find a way into The Medullary Paralysis. There are no quiet/loud contrasts or tension building progressions here; in fact there are no choruses, verses or other structural elements either just an unrelenting blitz of sound.
It is surprising then that this record starts to come together in places into a listenable whole, moments of Heaven Forbid in particular are quite beautiful (when the Tears for Fears comes through). In this way We Don’t Drink, We Don’t Take Drugs, We Don’t Have Sex, We Feel Compassion has the distinct vibe of a first E.P, the band's sound is developing but still needs refinements to distinguish it from being a noisy, 90’s industrial rehash.
If the purple latex clad love child of the above bands sounds like your ideal dance partner then The Medullary Paralysis should be on your radar. For this reviewer however they are slightly too much substance and not enough style.
Listen: www.myspace.com/medullaryparalysis
Tracklist:
1. Compassion On The Dance Floor
2. Fashion Slave
3. Heaven Forbid
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