Echo System: Bad Medicine

Many of you are probably familiar with the name Daniel Crommie. The multi-instrumentalist has an extensive solo discography as well as being a member of Group Du Jour and Echo System. The subject of this review is the Echo System release Bad Medicine originally released in 1986. On the album Crommie (synthesizers, sequencer, drum programs, cheap digital sampler, voice) teams with Jamie Haggerty (synthesizers, sequencer, drum programs, voice) and Paul Parker (guitar on track 4).

What we have here is pure electronic music with programmed beats and an assortment of digital synths and effects. At times the beats are almost danceable as in the first track "Short Wave Radio" and "Tex Mex Hex" where the synthetic bass grooves are pretty infectious. The latter is the only tune to feature guitar and Parker adds some pretty cool effects. The subtle industrial effects in "Metropolis" has a Kraftwerk feel making this one of my favourites. In "Earth, Air & Fire & Bad Medicine" the sound is more ominous with unsettling voices and darkly lit synths and effects. Electronic world music is the theme in "Stolen Landscape (Amazon Spirit)" while the softer "Darkest December" has a more ambient nature with layers of calming synths.

While the songs are generally well done I am just not sure how much I will reach for this as their isn't enough hooks to fully reel me in. However, if you appreciate electronic music that borders on ambient territory you might really want to give this one a listen. Released on New Weave Records.

Track Listing:
1. Short Wave Radio (3:44)
2. Metropolis (3:08)
3. Earth, Air & Fire & Bad Medicine (5:35)
4. Tex Mex Hex (4:49)
5. Stolen Landscape (Amazon Spirit) (6:23)
6. Darkest December (2:47)
7. The Reflecting Pool (2:32)
8. Short Wave Radio (dub mix) (4:37)

Added: January 31st 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Bandcamp Page
Hits: 1352
Language: english

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