RECOIL - UNSOUND METHODS

It's virtually impossible to say the name Alan Wilder and not mention Depeche Mode. Yet Recoil is as different from Depeche Mode as Depeche Mode is from Barbara Streisand. Alan may have been a member during the band's more formidable years, but he's now something distantly removed from that former glory.

Alan approaches the writing process somewhat differently than other bands. He composes songs with singers/lyricists giving the entire disc a rather eclectic feeling. Douglas McCarthy of Nitzer Ebb fame contributes to two of the discs more memorable songs, 'Incubus' and 'Stalker'. Both tracks are rather unorthodox viewpoints. 'Stalker' being the more controversial of the two. He assumes the character of a murderous stalker using his terrorizing methods to give his targets the identity and special social status of being a victim. It's rather disturbing. "You are nothing, you are nothing without me".

American poet Maggie Estep takes the reigns for a couple songs, 'Luscious Apparatus' and 'Control Freak'. 'Luscious Apparatus' is the story of two co-workers who through an odd flirtation end up having sex. The connection takes a dark turn when the guy decides to cut the girl. It's a strange tale and for some reason makes me think of Aeon Flux. It seems like an episode of that bizarre show. Character Trevor Goodchild actually says, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stranger" and that line aptly describes Maggie's lyrics to on both of these tracks. 'Control Freak' is another strange tale of stalking and desire. There's a reoccurring theme of emotional and physical violence throughout this disc. And the musical arrangements are created in such a fashion as to heighten the anxiety of the listener. There's an urgency filled with an underlying intensity through minor chord progressions.

The two other vocalists on the disc are Hildia Cambell; who toured with Depeche Mode on their Devotional Tour, and Siobhan Lynch; who I know literally nothing about beyond her work on this disc. None of the featured vocalists are remotely similar to the others. Each offers a unique ingredient to the formula of 'Unsound Methods'.

My overall view of the album is favorable though somewhat mixed. I personally love the disc, but I find it intellectually challenging and musically complex. It's not for the casual listener or even fans of Depeche Mode. It's unorthodox subject matter and bizarre arrangements are specifically geared towards creating an emotional response in the listener. Unless you're open to such experiences, 'Unsound Methods' will leave you confused, bored and disappointed. If you are willing to go the distance, this album will have you re-evaluating yourself and the way you view dark subject matter for a long time to come.

The disc ends with the haunting and exhilarating 'Shunt'. There's a trance quality in the fast paced rhythm. Hypnotic in its layers. But it's the spoken vocal towards the end of the tune that really grabs your attention. Recalling Recoil's Sophmore effort "Bloodline" a female voice declares, "There's blood on the line"... Beware faint of heart... There really is. My final words: DISTURBINGLY EXCELLENT!

RECOIL - UNSOUND METHODS
01. Incubus
02. Drifting
03. Luscious Apparatus
04. Stalker
05. Red River Cargo
06. Control Freak
07. Missing Piece
08. Last Breath
09. Shunt