Lusine icl
"Iron City"

After reading a variety of reviews on 'Lusine icl' I decided it was time to check out for myself what went on musically with this artist's music. Within my possession (all recently) came the "Freak" and "Slipthrough" 12" vinyls and the new "Sustain" 10" vinyl plus this CD "Iron City." The vinyls have all contained something my ears enjoyed, but this CD (and 4th album for Lusine Icl) "Iron City" is the jewel of all them.

The CD itself is a trip through slow and calm tunes, containing both acoustic elements and electronic tweaking. Clicks and cuts on top of waves of ambience are a common element which draw out the beauty and mystery of the music. Nothing is 'dark' here per se. The music is like lounge music, and soothing to the soul. It's strange how the music doesn't sound like it's 'new' in sound, but avoids being a complete copy of anything else also.

Songs such as "Scheming" hint at a jazz like vibe, and is quite an attention grabber. Easily a favorite on the CD, with it's slow tempo beat and a trumpet slightly muffled through out the song. It's as though the music is being listened to from say a window above a street corner, where the musicians themselves are actually performing. In slight contrast "The Fast Lane" builds slowly on bubbling electronics, and clicks and cuts. I could not help but find a similarity here to Gridlock's current sound. The sweeping sound effects, short clicks and ambient backgrounds take the song into a realm of inner relaxtion. This isn't Gridlock though, just like the other songs aren't another artist. This is Lusine icl.

All of the tracks deserve notice on this release. This CD shall join the ranks of very few that can keep my attention from start to finish. Maybe this CD wasn't a concept album, and Jeff Mcilwain was merely influenced through his surrounding environment (Los Angeles, CA) in this CDs making. I myself though could 'feel' the city in the sounds of all the songs presented. Not done in a straight forward fashion either, but rather abstractly and also beautifully. Add eye pleasing art to the CDs digipack design, and we have winner here that can't be ignored.

Information:
Label: Hymen & Mad Monkey Records 2002
Serial: ¥721 / mmr08
Title: Iron City CD & LP
Band: Lusine icl
Site: Hymen's Page on Lusine icl or Artist's webpage

Reviewed by Bry'n
6.03.02