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The true connoisseurs of Chris Corner's creation do not need an introduction to his next work. But for those, who hear the name for the first time, this review (or actually a bit late "impression") can help to find out, on what the phenomenon consists of.
"Kingdom of Welcome Addiction" is another record of the independent project IAMX, formed from the ashes of the trip-hop legend Sneaker Pimps. Establishing a new crew from the scratch and Corner’s moving from London to Berlin allowed artist to develop in the direction, that he chose himself, regardless of demands from the local label. After a few years it became clear, that he most likely took one of the best decisions in his life - the proof is a very mature musically and atmospheric "Kingdom of Welcome Addiction".
The record is a kind of up to date compilation of artist's achievements. It still can be felt the rhythm and electronics from "Kiss & Swallow", he is still playing on the convention as on "The Alternative". Of course, it could not miss the typical waltz – it used to be a memorable "President", however this time we get an interesting "The Stupid, The Proud". At the same time he is investing in a completely new solutions... of language, which can not be found on previous albums.
We were not yet funded such a fun. For example, on the one hand the text "Tear Garden" is, as you can hear – but bearing in mind, his current residence it causes, that appears "tier" (animal) and the Tiergarten (zoo), which gives a completely new and different from the original place for text’s interpretation. "I For An I" is already a bit more obvious, because it differentiates the importance of extent of the same language (you only need to read in English or listen to yourself). A small thing, but satisfies.
Corner is musically intelligent. That simple statement explains a lot, only the fact, who he is (we presume, the artist) can be expressed from one side in the text layer (as it turned out, fairly ambiguous), on the other side is describing the emotions by the music. Even "The Great Shipwreck Of Life" – we are drowning? Okay! I will throw gradually falling notes. Can you feel it? That is right... They all knew about it Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Corner knows and applies. It is a pity, that so few of today’s artists are aware of the fact, that syncretism does not bite. What is more, it generally constitutes, how the wide public will understand their music. More real, more relevant. Continuously increasing popularity of bands like IAMX only proves, how important is the suitable binding of the content, you want to convey.
So what? Here, we are not surprised and we do not need to (the world will end, when from mouth of artists like Corner falls at least one "baby ohh"). Choking social conventions from one side, and from the other - overwhelming loneliness, death, sex, drugs, pain, submission, emptiness, extreme emotions... Classical Corner’s kettle, something nice for everyone.
Is there something, that strongly contrasts with up to date achievements? Why it would not be. Primarily noteworthy is a phenomenal duo with Imogen Heap, with her voice brings freshness and diversity to the atmosphere. You can clearly hear, they both worked on that piece - on the one hand we have the classic IAMX’s decadence, on the other hand lightness characteristic to the work of Imogen, all with rhythm that is right to both artists, resulting in a full and rich composition. Oh and video... If anyone ever doubted the androgyny of Corner, will see there undisputable evidence. To those, who doubt in the validity of such treatments I advise to think it over - why artists should even bother the sex? Male-female polarity limits more than any other social norm. IAMX's work would greatly suffer, if they started to worry about something so obvious.

Tracklist:

01. Nature of Inviting
02. Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
03. Tear Garden
04. My Secret Friend
05. I For An I
06. I'm Terrified
07. Think Of England
08. The Stupid, The Proud
09. You Can Be Happy
10. The Great Shipwreck Of Life


Other articles:

• IAMX - Metanoia - 2017-01-28 (Music reviews)
• M'era Luna 2016 - 2016-10-13 (Live reports)
• Interview with Chris Corner/IAMX - 2016-06-24 (Interviews)
• IAMX - Metanoia Tour - 2016-05-14 (Live reports)
• IAMX - The Unified Field - 2013-07-20 (Music reviews)
• IAMX - Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction - 2012-03-09 (Music reviews)
• IAMX - Volatile Times - 2011-06-25 (Music reviews)
• IAMX - Spit It Out - 2008-09-07 (Music reviews)
• IAMX – Kiss & Swallow - 2008-06-04 (Music reviews)
• IAMX - The Alternative - 2008-03-19 (Music reviews)

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