Xiu Xiu's Brutal Techno Shocker And Friends Below Zero's Fab Swell Maps Cover
Siu Siu, "Eskerita, Little Richard" (polyvinyl)
Prolific American group Xiu Xiu are back with their 13th album, and it's the first one I really enjoyed, although I apologize for missing a few. Jimmy Stewart's unique, stable, multi-instrumental voice has always been the epitome of "acquired taste" syndrome, and I never got it no matter how hard I tried. Stewart always seemed to put a lot of effort into his promotion, but it was mostly slow going.
Stewart's drama queen antics at the mic have always had me reaching for Dramamine. Opera sounds are my favorite style of singing. He's more effective at suppressing his grief with a wink. Perhaps that's why I found 2016's Music Playing Twin Peaks more satisfying than Siu Sius' vocal work. In it, Siu Siu fuels the Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch soundtracks with even tighter vocal muscles; Check out The Pink Room's amazing version that almost beats Sturm und Drangs.
Now, with the support of her multi-talented friends Angela So and David Kendrick (Devo, Sparks, Gleaming Spiers), Stewart has reached the peak of her career with a sad shrug . The album features the wet, throbbing tune of Scott Walker's career-high Bish Bush . Every second of sorrow's ignorance , even the rest, expresses fear. The orchestral-industrial style predominates - everything is intricately carved. Imagine Nine Inch Nails in an apocalyptic sci-fi film (like The Real Chaos Cha Cha Cha) or an episode of The Twilight Zone since it was pulled from production. Very annoying (e.g. "666 images are nothing").
The title track "Esquerita, Little Richard" shines a spotlight on two of early rock 'n' roll's most subversive and explosive artists. However, there is no music for these black and gay musicians. Instead, he relies on his aesthetic prowess to create wild and terrifying techno, his crushing metallic beats consistently hitting 140 BPM. Seo sings uplifting lyrics like "Joggle, strut / Get down when you wake up knowing sadness" while Laibach's hellish tunes roll across the floor. An insane adrenaline rush sets in.
Xiu Xiu will perform at the Vera Project with Splitt and Medium Weekend on May 3rd.
Sub-Zero Friends, "Helicopter Skies" (Sub-Zero Friends)
The Helicopter Spies EP was created in Orange County in the late 1990s by KUCI DJ Brian MacDonald (aka Zero Friends Below Zero). MacDonald eventually moved to Seattle where he became the city's least tech DJ and least elite DJ, working mixed magic under Lance Lockarm. Now those old tracks have turned into digital dust on the hard drive.
McDonald's recently sold that collection, instead focusing on his post-pandemic sleep music of 2021 and 2022. He makes the perfect versions you hear of this dirty, filthy henchman.
"Newport Breach" features the rumbling pop of indie rock giants Lilys and the Swirlies, with hauntingly distorted melodies, tight bass and guitar riffs and a hushed sax wail. Sprawling rocker with mixed brass, screeching drones and high spirits, “Click Play Units” kind of reminds me of Britpop's Boo Radleys if they were from the American west coast.
Not to mention that Macdonald was born to play one of the British post-punk geniuses "The Helicopter Spies", Swell Maps' most iconic song. Friends Under Zero brings the darkness to match with that fluff tsunami and a catchy lo-fi tone (by Biff). If only songwriter Nicky Sadden were still alive to hear such a beautiful tribute.
The Helicopter Spies EP is available digitally now on Bandcamp and on 7″ vinyl on May 5th. The Friends Below Zero album will also be released on vinyl on the same day, with CD and cassette versions coming out in mid-May, as well as download and streaming services. More information here
This story has been updated from the original. Brian McDonald sings on "Helicopter Spies", not Donna Brown.
