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Motor, "Klunk"
The Nitzer Ebb-inspired debut from this techno duo demonstrates once again that a collection of singles, actual and potential, does not an album make. Electronic musicians continue to fall into this predictable trap.Motor's approach incorporates both electronic body music's past as well as the continuing efforts of hard techno maestros like Speedy J and Surgeon, a formula destined to dominate dancefloors around the globe, as previously released singles such as "Black Powder" and "Sweatbox" have already proven. Just about every one of these 12 cuts played through a bass-heavy sound system amid smoke machines and piercing lights would surely set in motion the otherwise stationary feet of even the most stubborn techno elitist. Yet, it's just not enough to warrant the shift between DJ-friendly vinyl singles to a proper full-length release. While for technologically savvy DJs working with digital media this CD is a gift, as an album it falls short.
Techno artists who use the opportunity of an album release to express a larger creative vision or to experiment naturally run certain risks. Conversely, those who opt not to take any chances almost assuredly produce discs that hardly ever get more than one complete listen, arguably moreso than is the case for rock albums. Klunk falls into the latter category, save for the closer "En Trans," showing that Mr. No and Bryan Black essentially make music for the clubs, something they do very well. Vocal contributions by its members and selected co-collaborators offer an ounce more variety, though the template beneath these compositions remains largely unchanged, as with the warped druggy "Yak." The choppy bassline and perky bleeps on "King Of USA" support what I can only assume are political lyrics, though it's hard to care all that much about message with snare hits this hard and tight. "1 x 1" features EBM icon Douglas McCarthy on gritty guest vocals, reprising the style that defined the far more exciting Fixmer/McCarthy project.
Even Front 242 and the already cited Nitzer Ebb challenged their listenership on their LPs, admittedly with mixed results. If Mute or some other label decides to give Motor a chance at a follow-up, perhaps the duo will listen beyond the singles of the artists they so clearly seek to emulate.
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