- TRUST is a logical home for Alec Storey, given the Vienna label's dedication to electro in all its forms. Recent appraisals of his work have pointed out that his slippery arrangements of old have been given a sharper focus. That's still the case here, but Storey refuses to cede to familiar structures. "Attack Of The Modlings" unfurls on a bed of playful ambient techno. When the beat arrives, it signals an audacious switch in mood, with bloated bass stabs and stammering electronic interference caused by the percussion. It's heavy, awkward and brilliant.
Following an EP on TRUST earlier in the year, /DL/MS/ remix "Attack Of The Modlings" into a more streamlined affair that will sit easier with DJs. But it sounds a little too straightforward compared to Storey's more daring compositions. "Quantock Point To Point" keeps the beat on course and uses an arpeggio as a grounding constant, with space for psychedelic splashes of sound. The final track, "Telekinesis Via Fax," harks back to the chaotic flow of Storey's earlier productions, but there's a vitality to the brutal kicks and cavorting lead lines that makes the bumpy ride enjoyable. Bruising music that's also mentally stimulating is rare, but unconventional pleasures come easy for Alec Storey.
TracklistA1 Attack Of The Modlings
A2 Attack Of The Modlings X /DL/MS/
B1 Quantock Point To Point
B2 Telekinesis Via Fax