| Artist |
| Dysfunctional By Choice |
| Title |
| Travelling in Travel |
| Format/Cat |
| B001FBUPOE |
| Label |
| Drakkar Records |
| Style |
| experimental/electronica |
| Date of review |
| 30th November 2008 |
| Reviewer |
| Stuart Moses |
| Rating |
| 4/10 |
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I nearly gave up on this CD after the minute of electronic dissonance that is "Fog". Life's too short and I'd already had a long day. Thankfully "Alert" is more listenable, though the guitars are too frenetic for my taste. It's a mix of Nirvana riffing and Radiohead atmospherics. Keeping the song under three minutes means there's less room for boredom. "Travelling In Time (Out Of Trap)" is a furious and taut song, recalling a less fractured At The Drive-In. There's a chaotic, anything-could-happen vibe that makes me feel weary but that could be thrilling to those younger and fitter than I.
"Optimism" is a fragment of electronica-flavoured nonsense. "Sleep & Learn" is an experimental blend of samples and heavy riffing guitars. It doesn't go anywhere interesting, and sounds like at least three songs being played at the same time. In the light of what has gone before you'll forgive me if I'm worried by a song having the title "Feedback Disease". Actually it's OK – in that it's a proper song, rather than random noise.
"Iced Bed" is a fragment of electronic sounds. I'm not sure whether these interludes add to the Dysfunctional By Choice experience. Not much really. "Non Reached Lights" is Biffy Clyro-style angst rock. "Pimple" is a shouty racket. It's only two minutes long though, which is a blessing. "Cut" is Cold Meat Industry-style ambience for the first three minutes, before leading into "Gotham" which sounds as random as every other song on this album, i.e. very. "Underworld" marks the end – and is enjoyable because the song is played straight. There's a hint of the experimental side of The Beatles in the vocals, and suggestions of majesty in the guitars. The extended running time and the feedback-filled climax soon tries my patience.
You cannot deny that Dysfunctional By Choice have spirit, imagination or dedication. However they are exhausting company – and not people I would consciously seek out. That's not to say that they won't make many friends with more adventurous – and athletic – souls than I.
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