Disco Inferno were a British experimental rock band, harking back to the late 1980's.
Their use of sampling, combined with the use of traditional instruments, especially on songs like “A Rock to Cling to” and “The Last Dance” have led many experts to accept that DI has been a major influence on the evolution of modern post-punk music. And it is now well established that the band were pioneers of sonic plausibility ... further extending the boundaries of what had ever been dared before.
One Little Indian Records have now released a compilation called ‘The 5 EPs’, as a luxury limited edition gate-fold double vinyl (also available as a CD album) featuring tracks from all five now out-of-print Disco Inferno EPs - released between 1992 and 1995. The compilations had previously been available as a bootlegs.
Track-listed chronologically, the first tune of this 15 track compilation, ‘Summers Last Sound’ - (first released in 1992 ) is an honest rub-down that soon spirals into a labyrinth of its own modeling. Shimmering pools of light reflect a lyrical pattern, so subtly drawn, it demands a closer listen. The melody tends to rise and shine, especially when close to it’s own reflection. If the purpose of this piece is to describe the undeveloped potential of a summer’s separation, then this piece is compelling.
‘Love Stepping Out’ has tiny tendrils of dewy fronds that leech out of the tubular structure. Calamitous gaps yawn and gape grotesquely. When a bass finally bounces in, the truth and beauty of those simple strokes is courageously revealed.
“A Rock to Cling to” has church bells of salvation ringing out over the green and pleasant hills. But the repeated peel does not slake the pain, nor cry, of the beast in your midst. This song feels like you are just holding on, before sinking into the depths of a brothing mess.
‘The Last Dance’ has cardboardy percussive influences and the direction of travel is only strictured by the lazy peregrinations of the verses. Fizzy interludes lift the song so that it is dazzling, light and airy.
‘DI Go Pop’ is reason enough to go buy this compilation. The refreshing use of sampled sounds that constantly crash against the stony storm-walls created by the strong, low, loaded images, creates a kind of paranoia. Waves of sound constantly grope around, trying to wear your reserves down. The tumult and savagery has to be experienced at first hand to be believed.
Disco Inferno’s final single, “It’s a Kid’s World” is also on this collection - and this track includes the sampled the drumbeat from Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”. Imagine a flock of nursery school children parading through the house playing a variety of pots and pans, and you get the picture. But this song also uncovers a maturity found beyond it’s feel good clatter. A joy filled bean-bag of colours and images.
Clink, clink - it’s ‘A Night On the Tiles’ - this is a picturesque image of a squishy night in town. If you can see through the green mist, you will see dancers, gangsters lurking in the shadows, streetwalkers plying their wares, cops chasing bad guys along the way, bouncers hiding the broads ... and all sorts of nightlife.
This is an impressive creation and a collection worth seeking out and enjoying.
– © Neil_Mach July 2012 –
Link: http://www.indian.co.uk/
