Teargas & Plateglass

Dubby, cinematic, and bleak like you wouldn't believe, there's not a bright or sunny moment to be found on Teargas & Plateglass' self-titled debut. Doesn't matter -- Teargas & Plateglass can find plenty of beauty in the deepest cistern, and they've got years of sountracking dark films ahead of them. Production is sewn up tight, but this dark, desolate dirt road goes nowhere. Rather than narrative, the vocals of Natacha Atlas and Zap Mama are used as filigree over the swarthy muck, and songs just disappear more than end. A frustrating listen if you're looking for a point, but there's always another layer to tear away on each visit. The gutsy cellos over a breakbeat in "Arkhangelsk," the sinister, pit-patting drums on "Consoling Past," and the dirty disco meets Duane Eddy bits on "Tao of Hex" are all stunning. Such intricate and absolute production deserves attention even if the end result is just wallpaper. Creatures of the night looking for a slicker Scorn, come and go as you please. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide