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Driving Backwards is the new release from Neutral, which follows the album Font Translation Errors. An album which I enjoyed a lot, so I was keen to hear this 12", which is a joint release between Mad Monkey Records and Hymen. First listens suggest that Driving Backwards is somewhat different from FTE, not obviously Neutral, but interesting. With further listens there is a greater impression of the Neutral sensibility, in the way the tracks have been though through.

The first side starts with the bluntness of Airport. Small sound mixing with a more prominent crackle. This sound is quite forceful, covering the light percussion and melody that sneaks in. Though that remains the light string melodies unfold well; so that there is a pleasing feel. Of course there is also a persistent sense of disruption, which is emphasized by the glitches and pauses of the electronica contributions. Working with a sequence of bass notes comes Kitchen Kilometre Green. The bass notes extend, each ending with a certain string strummed feel. Beats come in as dull pixels, while electronic melody is a slide, which has occasion to catch. There are slight metallic pulses and light fizzing motions also included in the layers. The form of this relies on the mix of little melodic waves with their pleasing peaks and the sense of rounded bass tones. This side is completed by Curtain, which for me is just wonderful. A straight piano melody plays, with a mild rushing air quality. When the piano is played like this I guess its all that is needed, and although the track starts to layer after a minute and a half it is okay. A pulsed rhythm lays out, mixing impression of clockwork and the movements of percussive strips - which leads to a conclusion after another minute.

The second side starts off with the spring and patter of February and March. A squelching, acid 80's electro line plays momentarily, pausing then layering in a catchy manner. Transform comes as the piece slows right down mixing a spoken, female vocal with a different feel. The vocal is distant in some way, though at times comes across as more intimate - a voice which is presumably Nicole's (Neutral). The piece intensifies, the new lines of sound becoming weighed strokes so that the piece has a certain dark suggestion. With a sighing bass comes J Doesn't Do Acid Anymore, vaguely sinister in feel. Then there is a voice quickly overbalanced by the stroke of a string melody. Melodic layers expand and there is a certain scrabbling sound in there also. Retaining a curious feel, some how uneasy. An uneasiness that seems to be maintained by the change in cycle. Melodic troughs are as pronounced as the tapping beat. The final track comes with what sounds like a cartoon sample - dated melody and voice sample. What emerges seems to radiate despair with its strained buzz and deeply melancholic piano. Twitches try to keep the machine alive, though it seems increasingly difficult. The electronic becomes a hard buzz that accompanies a whispering vocal - some how evolving a mixture of harshness, bitterness as well and the initial despair - repeating in the end the track's title - "Why don't you like me?"

RVWR: PTR
July 2001

More Information

Neutral

band site.

Mad Monkey

label site.

hymen

label site.

font translation error

re:mote review.