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Babyland - Live Execution


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Value of some bands in the history of any genre of music remains immeasurable and rightfully so. The continuous shifts in the order of industrial might prevent critics and audiences alike from tracking and classifying the changing and newly emerging trends but the break up of seminal Los Angeles duo Babyland back in 2009 echoes to this day, even if only because one would be hard pressed to find a band that strived and achieved the same level of improvised energy and thoughtful artistry.

Like most live albums, this digital track list also boasts an array of atmosphere enriching ambient elements but the prominence of chatter between Babyland's Dan Gatto and Smith and the cheering audience never overwhelms the power of the music itself. In many ways this live recording comes closer than any of the previous CDs to encapsulating the core pleasure of spontaneous punk-esque performance, filled with spectacular force of drums, dramatic vocals and melancholy synthesizers.
Execution in equal parts embraces the reverberating pulse of band's music and its thoughtful, emotive structures. Highlight tracks that made up their last album 'Cavecraft' return here in full strength, benefiting greatly from the immediacy of the vocals and the spectacular, unrestrained instrumentation. Pessimistic romanticism of ' The End of All Summers' was never as affectionate as it is on this release and coupled with instantly memorable classics like the opening 'Nativity' provides a rich and powerful counter weight for the unstoppable tempo of electronic juggernauts like 'Mindfuck' or 'You Will Never Have It'.
In fact, the most memorable moments of the record are indeed the most memorable moments of Babyland's career and one can safely assume the genre as a whole. 'Last Ave.' is relentlessly paced, defined by the manic drumming and the melodic crescendos that highlight track's lush, poignant mood providing the listener with a nirvana like climax that is exhausting and passionate.

Live Execution - a free release, recorded over 4 years ago in LA's The Small stands as a lasting testament to group's influence and brilliance and despite being merely a coda, a brief epilogue to a fruitful career, it provides the listener with a collection of music that leaves an impression that is difficult to shed and undo.

Tracklist:

01. Nativity
02. Mindfuck
03. Last Ave.
04. The End of All Summers
05. Rimer Drive Tiger
06. Youth Choker
07. Dismissal
08. Subtraction
09. Reality
10. Past Lives
11. Worst Case Scenario
12. Gehry
13. You Will Never Have It
14. Search and Rescue
Author:
Translator: harpia
Add date: 2013-06-23 / Music reviews




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