The Infinite (compilation)
release date: Mar. 1984
format: vinyl (KAZ LP 1) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Shriekback
label: Kaz Records - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A side)
1. "Lined Up" - 2.
"Clear Trails" - 3.
"Accretions" -
4. "Sway" - 5.
"Madness Into Method" - - B side) 1.
"My Spine (Is the Bass Line)" -
2. "Mothloop" -
3. "Sexthinkone" (4,5 / 5) -
4. "Evaporation" (4,5 / 5) - 5.
"A Kind of Fascination" - 6.
"Working on the Ground"
A compilation album by Shriekback released on Kaz Records. This was the first album I came across with the band back in '84 or '85. I believe, I first found it at the library where I used to go at least once a week to find new music. Although, I was more into more direct punk rock, melodic new wave, and gloomy dark gothic rock, I found this more than just fine. I loved the disturbing tension of the arrangements, which made it cool, fascinating and rather alternative new wave post-punk in a sort of avantgardist kind of way. I didn't know anything of the band, and only discovered a decadeor so later that this is actually a compilation comprising singles and early releases. In fact, I tried hard to find other albums by the band but it was simply impossible at the time, as their albums were too hard to find in my country. A few years later, I also found the compilation album
Evolution (1988), again at the library, but it didn't attract me the way this one did. The band never experienced any great success while releasing albums in the 80s but they have later on been praised for their early industrial sound, which has been an influence for electronic and industrial rock bands in the 1990s. Neither, was I familiar with The Pop Group but it appears quite evident that Shriekback must have listened to the Bristol band's debut
Y from 1979 and / or the 1980 follow-up, which in retrospect has been regarded as a strong influence for other artist's works.
Shriekback continued to make albums throughout the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s (and may likely still perform) with an ever changing line-up. The core of the band was always former
XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews, and former
Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen, who got together with guitarist Dave Marsh and drummer Martyn Barker to form the initial and most persistent backbone of the band. Their commercial highs came with the more dance rock and funk rock-oriented albums
Big Night Music (1986) and
Go Bang! (1988) - albums I never found that enjoyable but that was the style they stuck with after leaving a distinct experimental expression.
This very album, however, is one that I have returned to many times since the 1980s. Far from all music of the '80s endure this long, and for me it holds a special position, like a hidden gem, and I think that the music still sounds fresh and fascinating. Especially tracks like "Sexthinkone" and "Evaporation" are in my mind true masterpieces with unique and extraordinary bass and drum-lines.
