Fader – First
Light (Blanc Check Records)
LP / CD / DL
23 June 2017
8.5 / 10
British
electronic stalwarts combine to make first collaborative album.
This is quite some joining of forces and we should be
thanking Steve Malins, the manager of both Neil Arthur and Benge for suggesting
it. Fader sees two major, if not often unsung,
forces of electronic music come together for an album that will raise an
eyebrow or two. Both names instantly recognisable in their own rights take a
break from their regular projects and reveal an album which is bordering on
perfect.
Neither artist needs any introduction of course nor do
the resulting eleven tracks which contain, as you’d maybe predict, some of the
throbbing basslines that you’d expect from Blancmange or the delicate
intricacies of The Maths (John Foxx).
It’s an album of startling pop, of racing electronica and also some
genuinely heartfelt moments. Whether you
think that Arthur’s lyrics are meaningless art or genuinely highbrow words of
wisdom are often irrelevant, whether quotes of ‘put the rings back on the
onion’ from album opener 3D Carpets are inspired by the works of Hunter S
Thompson or not will render most of us oblivious, but the fact remains that his
articulation serves of as much of an instrument as Benge’s programming does.
Commencing with three high powered tracks in 3D Carpets,
Check The Power and recent single I Prefer Solitude, the analogue sound is
firmly in flow and the wake of infectious basslines and electro ripples are
incredibly addictive. The latter of the
three steams along from the first beat and it is often difficult to catch a
metaphorical breath in between the constant percussion and manic voice.
Let’s not think of Fader as merely a Neil Arthur project
either, the input of Benge is here in equal measures. His instrumentation, sometimes complex and
sometimes stark is the work of a man brimming with ideas. There are hints of his other projects We Are
Wrangler (and therefore by default, Cabaret Voltaire) and the almost cinematic
sound of John Foxx on show here. There
is even a strong enough resemblance on the Way Out intro to Depeche Mode’s To Have
And To Hold to have many folks expecting Dave Gahan to break into song.
Lead single and title track, First Light is full of
dramatic beats and wonderful reverb and with lines like “blah dee blah, Lady
Godiva” Fader are as much about feeling as they are about any hidden meaning
and the melodies general feel of the album is very special indeed.
There’s a tribute to (presumably) the amusement arcade of
the 80s and 90s, Wonderland, which progresses along with an increasing pace,
and the gorgeous Liverpool Brick with its lack of percussion is a quite lovely
respite before the track of the album Guilt, Doubt And Fear hits you between
the eyes and leathers you with power, aggression and electro punk-funk.
Trip To The Coast and Winter Garden may evoke memories of
trips to Blackpool for Arthur or the statement may be wide of the mark, but
such is the intrigue with his words that leave you interpreting as you
like. Album closer Laundrette again opts
for simple ambiance in an effective and intelligent end to the album.
First Light is a strong album which will not disappoint
fans of electro pop or, of Neil Arthur and Benge and will hopefully see continued
work in the future. A fine album, well
worth a listen.
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