At times chaotic, other times ambient, and other times danceable, Black Light Smoke‘s The Early Years is a collection of stuff electro-producer Jordan Lieb wrote back in the last decade. It covers a lot of cool ground.
Opening track “Up Up and Away” has nothing to do with a beautiful balloon (as far as I can tell), but has plenty to do with warped synths and beats that sound like they’re coming from a drum machine that’s been doused in bourbon. “Springtime for Rioters” could fit into another “Escape from…” John Carpenter film score with it’s bad-ass synth-bass, sampled screams, and industrial beats.
The driving beats of “123456789” are outstanding, and I love the way Lieb layers them with fuzzed-out guitars. “Black Light Smoke” is a weird, wonky tune that bumps and percolates while maintaining a sense of the bizarre. “Burn” has actual vocals as Lieb sings about having nothing to do on a Sunday since everything’s closed and his lover’s left him.
“North Korea” sounds like a forgotten Soft Moon track with its sinister synths and killer cyborg bass. Lieb sings / croons again on “The Figure” as his electro-groove simmer underneath him and simple, haunting piano chords keep time. The closing track, “Celeste,” showcases My Bloody Valentine‘s influence on Lieb with its soft vocals and “wall of fuzz” sound.
I’m glad Lieb decided to release this collection of early material. It will make you want to seek out more of his work, as any good collection should.
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to Ryan at Clandestine Label Services.]