reviews

Sphere zine - UK - 2009

Originally released in 1991 this album was at the forefront of a new and exciting time for Industrial music in the UK. Its dark tones and coldwave-style beats led the way for the UK scene. With a host of dates coming up this year including Amalgamation in Leeds, we thought it would be the perfect time to review this re-release...

‘ A Thin Red Line ' finds itself somewhere between Skinny Puppy and Nick Cave via a trip to Numan land. Its powerful drum machine beats smash against jazz-influenced keys for a funky-yet-sadistic opener. ‘ Right Hand Man ' is a little more sinister with 8-bit-esque electronics and some classic elements working alongside the unique shared vocals from Martin Bowes and Julia Waller . ‘ Scenario ' is a thundering standout with a haunting backdrop leading perfectly into confident vocals and a powerful mix of dark-electro. ‘ First Love ' keeps the pace moving with a heavier tone that builds and builds to keep the listener hooked in. The personal nature of the song, alongside the fantastic harmonies of Waller are certainly worthy of a mention here as the tracks most enticing elements.

‘ A Girl Called Harmony ' is possibly Attrition 's most accessible track with elements of neo-classical embedded within a trad-Goth structure. Here you may actually be reminded of Maynard James Keenan 's Puscifer project in terms of the slow, methodic style. From this, you can see here the influence of Attrition 's on a range of different acts within the Goth genre nowadays. ‘ The Rising Tide ' is our favourite track, it's effortlessly dark and seductive, and it betrays the acts heavier side.

‘ Legitimate Son ' is an extroadinary blend of classical, Industrial and Goth genres. It's simply epic and will definitely be something to see if they break it out live. ‘ Hush ' relies heavily on electronics and it's a sample-based instrumental effort with a soft, almost trip-hoppy build up. This one is the soundtrack to the ultimate head-trip. At times it's totally chilled, at times it's chaotic and it perfectly showcases Attrition 's passion and skill. Follow-up ‘ Something In My Eye ' is almost pop, but it works well to get the point across. Okay... it is about as pop as a Revolting Cocks tune, but it is certainly accessible with some excellent keyboard work and well programmed beats. It's more than a little fun.

The bonus songs on this re-release are fairly enjoyable, with the cyberpunk awesomeness of ‘ Your Face, My Gift ' and the electro-opera -beast that is ‘ Under The Bridge ', meeting with the soulful ‘ Resurrection (reprise) ' and a hard-hitting new mix of ‘ Something In My Eye ' to finish.

To summarise, There is a unique ambience within Attrition 's work that makes them easier to listen to and take in than a lot of their contemporaries. ‘ A Tricky Business ' is still so relevant now in that it's a raw and intelligent Industrial record that will serve as a great reference point for younger bands and fans alike who want to find out more about the “originators” of the genre.

E.S.T. zine - UK - 92

"...Attrition's latest release is a pleasant surprise. Their new sound is far from restrained. All manner of instrumentation is evident, male and female voices intertwine among electronic, classical and medieval textures. This is refreshing, an uplifting, sentimental and beautiful album. A Tricky business has a classically minimal feeling that is the result of a successful fusion of high-tech ambience and strong personal songwriting."

Grim Humour zine - UK - 1992

"This album catches Attrition revisiting their earlier, more sinister sound, and integrating it with a mixture of fresh influences. Left field dance rythmns rub shoulders with orchestrated waves of keyboards and the swaying voice of Julia Waller, whilst well functioning bursts of experimentalism compliment Martin Bowes' grated vocals in an effort to balance things out. A Tricky Business proves that Attrition's 10+ years experience in the field has most certainly paid off."

Amazon.com - 2000

Attrition's music was and probably always will be unclassifiable and innovative. They are never afraid to experiment with different genres, often creating eclectic mixtures of avantgard, neoclassical, EBM, darkwave, ethereal... Originally released in 1991 on Relic this CD is still very much listenable and enjoyable now. Most of it is rather intense, dancy and dark ("Thin Red Line", "Scenario", "Right Hand Man") and then there's slower and more melodic stuff like "A girl called Harmony" or "Legitimate Sun". The lyrics are interesting and at times rather psychotic. Combined with the urgent music and eerie "industrial" male and operatic female vocals, they give the listener an uneasy feeling.