Progressive, alternative and experimental electronic rock collide on Singularity, the debut full-length CD from the oddly named Wreckage of the Modern City. The Iowa quartet's eclectic approach yields mixed results. The opener, "Bold Era," sounds dated with alternating references to British synth bands and primetime Soundgarden, and "Inside" recalls a youthful Peter Gabriel gone solo. Elsewhere, the heavy atmospherics of "Hurt" gravitate toward an aggressive bridge, while the rockers "Restless" and "Thankless" hint at what Wreckage of the Modern City might sound like with more musical discipline. Therein lies the problem: Singularity is not an easy album to absorb. Fragmented song structures, elusive melodies and a general lack of direction make it challenging and at times even frustrating. Wreckage of the Modern City's web site says the band creates a "robust neo-industrial sauce;" I'm not sure what that means exactly, but use of the unusual term "sauce" to describe a sound indicates that these guys haven't quite tamed their focus yet.
Track Listing:
1) Bold Era
2) Greek Thing
3) Hurt
4) Inside
5) Mindtrap
6) Piece
7) Restless
8) Systematic Malfunction
9) Thankless
10) Tigerbone
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
