The Hidden Agenda

reviews
Atomic - UK - 1993

"A new label and a sound pushing that little bit further. Hidden Agenda & the accompanying 45 'Lip Sync' seems to carry on from where their last album, 'A Tricky Business' left off. As with the single the dead pan morning after vocals are there, providing that lovely counterpoint to Julie's hot diva voice. The single's title track is a prowling techno beat kind of affair, along the lines of recent Clock Dva. More than the single, the tracks on this album carry that Sisters' circa Floodland feel, such as on 'Mercy machine', and (always my favourite word) 'Deadline'. The up-tempo beat cools down for a while, with 'This great design', 'The Third house' & 'A wing and a prayer', none of which remains very melancholy for very long, easing back into the beat with heaps of rhythmn and guitar. the past is revisited with an updated version of 'The Next day', re-modelled with the Hidden Agenda style. A huge album and a great progression.

Stride - UK - 1993

"...Here Attrition truly establish their presense. Martin Bowes' voice swoops, growls and soars above relentless aching rythmns, synthesisers and hard edged electronics, as well as guitars and drums, and contrasts with the females voices of Julia which echo and seduce in the mix. The songs skirmish all kinds of subjects: passion, sex, life and death, the remnants of religion; a kind of post-modernist gothic approach! But these aren't morbid workouts, this is dark pop that'll have you dancing on a knife-edge with a manic grin..."

Rupert Loydell