For a group that has always relinquished variety for a consistent mood, you
would hope that their third LP (fourth release) would throw something colorful
into their monochromatic mix. But throwing a dog a blue bone means nothing to a
dog; it's just a frickin' bone. That said, there are no blue bones on Yanqui
U.X.O. But just as with most things in the world, you can only keep a sonic
palimpsest for so long before the original ideas start to depreciate.
Unfortunately, Godspeed's latest album exemplifies this notion perfectly. Where
their previous outings were often predictable (slow build to a roaring
crescendo), the interesting arrhythmic interludes and haunting taped voices kept
things engaging. Yanqui U.X.O., on the other hand, dismisses both, opting
for a more straightforward, raw sound. This approach cannot only be blamed on
the songwriting, but also the production. But what do you expect when you take
20-minute epics pregnant with violins, orchestral swells, and bombastic
instrumentation to an indie rocker named Steve Albini (Shellac, Nirvana)? The
result is not very surprising. For those of you GY!BE virgins, deflower yourself
with Lift Yr Skinny Fists or the Slow Riot EP, which are, in
retrospect, very colorful; Yanqui U.X.O. is just much too faded.
1. 09-15-00
2. 09-15-00
3. Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls
4. Motherfucker=Redeemer
5. Motherfucker=Redeemer
More about: Godspeed You! Black Emperor
