History

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EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 6   Total Length: 23:57

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Jason Pettigrew

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Jason Pettigrew is the Editor-in-Chief of Alternative Press. His favorite noises in life are the first minute of "Cables (Live)" by Big Black, the Arp 2600 synt...more »

04.22.11
Toronto quintet delivers hooky no wave revival.
2004 | Label: Paper Bag Records / The Orchard

At the core, this Toronto-based delegation has the necessary rhythmic center to allow them to go forward in any direction they please. Singer Nirmala Basnayake pulls off both melodic cool and strident neo-no wave performances while her bandmates add trebly guitars and tasteful electronics to the mix. Controller.Controller proves that the act of refinement can be achieved with integrity.

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Excellent post-punk

snej

It's not the most original sound in the world, but it's a really _good_ sound: tight disco drumming, heavy funk bass, sandpaper guitars, angry female vox. Post-punk. Obvious reference points include Gang Of Four, Joy Division, Romeo Void, the Au Pairs; as well as newer bands like Interpol, !!! and Pretty Girls Make Graves. This is well worth a listen if you like any of the above -- "Disco Blackout" is my favorite track.

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They Say All Music Guide

Although it sees Toronto’s Controller.Controller entering the already clotted disco-punk market a little bit later than is fashionable, History is nevertheless one of the worthier debuts to emerge from the second wave of no wave revivalists. Led by vocalist Nirmala Basnayake — who spikes her natural mid-range with just the right amount of Ari Up — and the requisite front line of juddering guitars, the quintet weave together a six-song set that delivers on anxious atmospherics and strong hooks in equal measure. As on standouts “History” and “Silent Seven,” the band demonstrate a knack for blending late- ’70s- era call-and-response guitar interplay with the brittle drum sounds of early electronic music; while the end result isn’t anything particularly fresh sounding, its infused with enough energy, craft and high drama to make it well-worth recommending. – Mark Pytlik

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