John Foxx And The Maths - Howl
by Dave Goodwin
published: 27 / 5 / 2020
Label:
Metamatic Records
Format: CD
intro
Fantastic fifth album from experimental electronica act John Foxx and the Maths, which finds Foxx reuniting with his former Ultravox bandmate Robin Simon
John Foxx and Benge originally got together back in 2010, playing a headline show at the Roundhouse in London at the first ever John Foxx And The Maths show before they had even finished their debut album, 'Interplay', which came out a few months later in 2011. Critic Mark Fisher summed them up as "a glimpse into another world in which rock 'n' roll was invented on Moogs." Foxx has always had a passion for the experimental but the strange sounds and atmospheres they seduce and rip from the machines in Benge's studio has inspired a series of fiercely personal electronic records - 'The Shape of Things; (2012), 'Evidence' (2013) and 'The Machine' (2017), an eerie instrumental score for the theatre production of E.M. Forster's 'The Machine Stops'. Along the way they have collaborated with the Soft Moon, Gazelle Twin, ADULT., Xeno & Oaklander, Gary Numan, Matthew Dear and many more, but at the core of everything is Foxx and the Cornish-based artist/producer Benge. As well as collaborating with Benge, Foxx has got together on this fifth the Maths album with former Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon and Hannah Peel. Foxx has spoken openly about wanting to work with Simon again for a long time, and justly so as his contributions have instantly modified Foxx’s original ideas into something new. Simon, who first worked with Foxx on Ultravox's 'Systems of Romance' album in 1978, has added a more industrial feel, and whereas the Maths' music is sometimes a little sparse in context he has filled a gap with his unique guitar in places. Peel’s string playing has also added a new dimension to the whole sound of the band. With these two new additions comes a darker sound. I’m not sure if it was intentional but it works. The main man is still able to switch identity as in the opener 'My Ghost' where he proves that he is able to morph his vocals too at will. The title track starts with Simon's guitar meandering in and out. A special moment on here is 'The Dance', a mid tempo'd slab of Futurist underground danceability – proper old school stuff but sounding a little like a Future Islands standard as is 'New York Times', another slab of brilliance. This is old school synth at its best. There are flavours of Human League, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Visage and Gary Numan,but still managing to break barriers and come up with something different. A fantastic fifth album.
Track Listing:-
1 My Ghost2 Howl
3 Everything Is Happening at the Same Time
4 Tarzan and Jane Regained
5 The Dance
6 New York Times
7 Last Time I Saw You
8 Strange Beauty
Band Links:-
http://www.metamatic.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/johnfoxxmetamatic/
https://twitter.com/foxxmetamedia
http://blog.johnfoxxandthemaths.com/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/johnfoxxandthemaths/
reviews |
The Machine (2017) |
Futuristic stage show soundtrack from John Foxx and the Maths which evolves into a serious electronic masterpiece |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart