July 17–24, 1997

six pick

Gus Gus

With the sound of electronica quickly becoming as slick as its hype, it's nice to hear (and see) the muddied analog likes of Gus Gus. This nine piece unit is from Reykjavik which is, I believe, four miles down from Bjrk. With an attitude that mutates between hapless and dangerous, Gus Gus and the former Sugarcube singer sound like neighbors. On the bubble-bursting disc Distortion (4AD) the band cruises along with blurry intent that'd make the yodeling Bjrk look rested. The sound, carried out primarily by what sounds like pre-war keyboard, is at once scintillatingly organic and sufferingly scientific. One second, Gus Gus is the blissed-out soul of "Barry," complete with broken down orchestra-interruptus and Minnie Ripperton-by-way-of-Robert Plant vocals. Or check out "Gun"; like the soundtrack to Midnight Express, it dances with panicked sweat, its fluidity, prominent Gap Band bass line, and blackboard-scratching harmonies one step away from a nervous welt. With Gus Gus around, you won't need dope to make you paranoid. As for Lamb, their strings and muted dirty dance rhytmns are as cool as they are caustic.

Mon., July 21, Middle East, 122 Chestnut St., 922-1003.

—a.d. amorosi