73 minutes, 45 seconds

THD
Under a Statik Sky

I was all set to ask the whole "What ever happened to...?" question about THD, but then I decided (uncharacteristically) not to be lazy and look them up on the information superhighway. You know, that thing Al Gore invented. Anyway, THD was Shawn Rudiman and Ed Vargo, and they released four albums that ranged from typical industrial/EBM (1994's Mechanical Advantage) to something approaching IDM (this album, from 1999, their swan song).

Rudiman apparently went on to have a solo career (who knew?) releasing various kinds of techno, and Vargo, as far as I can tell, most recently showed up behind the boards for Assemblage 23's Contempt, which was a great album. But that was eight years ago. Is he done making music entirely? Anyone know?

Regardless, I like the direction THD were going in on this CD. You can hear how their approach is informed by the harder sounds they'd used early on in their career, but they weave in other elements to give the songs a lighter touch. Something a little more melodic and varied than even your typical industrial/IDM band would do.

And now for an announcement (and a bit of shameless salesmanship): I'm auctioning off about 85 items on eBay this week--including lots of rarities. Current 93, Death in June, Les Joyaux de la Princesse, His Divine Grace, Darkwood, Dies Natalis, Luftwaffe, Implant...the list goes on and on. These are priced to move, and they're all in great condition. So please take a look and see if anything blows your skirt up. (In case that link doesn't work for you, my eBay seller ID is slandau6.)

Also today:

73:44 Penitent, Reflections of Past Memories
73:44 Various artists, Heavenly Grooves
73:43 Some More Crime, Another Domestic Drama in a Suburban Hell
73:42 Raison d'Être, Collective Archives (CD 2 of 2)
73:40 Scrap.edx, The Latitude Zero Project (CD 1 of 2)
New arrival! 75:10 Tyske Ludder, Dalmarnock
New arrival! 74:56 Tyske Ludder, Bombt die Mörder?
73:39 Funker Vogt, Always and Forever, Vol. 1 (CD 2 of 2)
73:39 Infekktion, Toxical Colours