While Department S is a fictional special department of Interpol and was famous for moustaches, double-crossing gentleman spies, seductive women and playboy adventurers – DEPARTMENT M is a quartet from Leeds, and is famous for fizzing parties with synth sounds and headlong keyboard conjurations from the former ‘Grammatics’ frontman Owen Brinley.
Apparently, Owen’s career took a completely different turn when he put down his guitar and picked up a Roland Juno-60. An attack of Hyperacusis ( an excess of acute sensitivity to certain frequency ranges) resulted in him seeking solace in the darker hugs of sweet black electro beats and beefy low-down chords.
Department M are now set to release a self-titled mini album (through Fierce Panda– on Monday 16th December.)
We had an early listen:
The mini-album starts with the twitching ‘Visitor’ and a series of horn notes that reminded us of Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’. An off kilter banging snubs its nose against a popsicle cold organ. It’s an unsettling start. And introduces the peculiar tenderness of ‘pHARMACY’.
Crumb-rubber bass notes fizz beneath angelic vocals and a set of notes that sound as if they are played on a low-priced Bontempi. This song is mystical and luminiferous. Vortices of pace cyclonically revolve around the base of the song. Twisted and imaginative !
The undercurrents of sadness continue with ‘I’ll Fax You An Apology’. This choppering song whirls around like an egg-whisk helicopter on the distant horizon. Then ‘J-Hop’ bubbles into view. A sweet harp brushes against a set of green strings – then the sibling bass breaks free from his restrictive egg-shell to rise and stalk in serpent fashion.
‘The Second Prize’ reminded us of Eurythmics (Savage 1987). It has that pompous glamour and slightly eerie sense of foreboding. We loved the low bass-play on this track. Twangy and strong. It is a sensational number. With significant, meaningful lyrics and heartfelt vocals.
This collection ends with ‘SleepWalker’. A tearing wrench in the fabric of the universe lets in the drizzle. Like the sky opening. The sadness is heavy in this song. Lonely and soggy. It creeps into the bones. And it gives you the chills.
Sombre, at times, this is, however, a fascinating introduction to the art and the mastery of Owen Brinley and his talented compatriots Liza Webster, Tommy Davidson and Wu. Recommended for lovers of Depeche Mode or Cabaret Voltaire.
– © Neil_Mach October 2013 –
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/departmentmband
Sat 2nd Nov @ Belgrave Hall, Leeds
Tue 5th Nov @ The Shacklewell Arms, London
Thu 5th Dec @ Head Of Steam (Rattled By The Rush Club), Newcastle
Sat 7th Dec @ Eiger Studios (Symposium Festival), Leeds
RAW RAMP 