NITZER EBB - AS IS

Industrial rockers, Nitzer Ebb dropped this EP in 1991.  They'd supported Depeche Mode on some tour dates and I assume it's because of this exposure, they worked with the people they did on this release.

'Family Man' would appear on the subsequent release, "Ebbhead" and it's a great number.  The version appearing here was mixed by Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke.  Since the same/similar version appears on "Ebbhead" I won't go into much detail here.  'Lovesick' features production and mixing by Flood.  He was popular during the 90's and worked with everyone from U2 to Depeche Mode.  I think this guy was everywhere.  And this track sounds like a stripped down DM number.

Douglas McCarthy's vocals are always slightly grinding.  He kinda assaults your senses with his sound.  They sound evil!  And that's part of the reason he's so effective as a front man.  He oozes creepy.  But in a cool way.  The industrial sound they've created is a hybrid mash-up of traditional industrial sounds from bands like Einsturzende Neubautin and the bands they later inspired like DM and NIN.

'Come Alive' is produced by ex DM member, Alan Wilder.  He went on to work with McCarthy on his solo Recoil project.  And 'Come Alive' sounds like it belongs on one of these records.  It features McCarthy's flat expressionless vocal delivery with the sinister sounds Wilder loved to use with Recoil.  It's easily my favorite track on the disc.  'Higher' is produced and mixed by Barry Adamson and PK.  Adamson is probably best known for his part with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds.  Of the four tracks on this EP, I think 'Higher' is my least favorite.  It doesn't really escape from a drone and the musical progressions only increase the sound or intensity of the droning.  Sadly, I just don't think this track gets over.  Still, it's not a bad song.

Nitzer Ebb are a band I think have a lot of potential and I find them fascinating.  They have strange subject material and they cross over effectively from one sound style to another.  Even though most of the time, they stick firmly in the industrial category.  A smart producer would harness this energy and channel it toward a more pop friendly record.  But in a way, it's a good thing they don't.  My final words:  A NICE EP!  IT'S GOOD FOR TAPPING YOUR SHOES AND ROCKING OUT.

NITZER EBB - AS IT
01. Family Man
02. Lovesick
03. Come Alive
04. Higher