CREEP SHOW
Yawning Abyss
(Bella Union)
There are some acts whose members just have such a gold plated reputation and history that they can almost do no wrong and have the enviable quality of making everything they do effortlessly brilliant. Creep Show are one such band. They are a partnership between Cabaret Voltaire (who influenced just about every electronic band on the planet) founder member Stephen Mallinder's act Wrangler and American/Icelandic singer/songwriter John Grant, formerly of Alt Rock band The Czars and collaborator with a long list of talents that includes Sinead O'Connor, Elbow, Goldfrapp, Richard Hawley and others, with a sideboard groaning with music awards for his solo work to boot.
An unlikely pairing you may think, but its one that works. Despite it being five years since Creep Show's debut album 'Mr Dynamite', this one picks up the thread seamlessly but also reflects the seismic changes we have seen in the world over that period. That doesn't make this in any way a dark album though. Although right from the opener 'The Bellows' the subject matter is serious, with processed vocals over bubbling modular synths singing of bombs dropping, there is a lightness to the tracks as well. Single 'Money Back' is almost singalong "You want your money back, I didn't think so", and the catchy title track shimmers with Grant's multi tracked vocals. The influence of Cabaret Voltaire shines through, with funk stylings grafted to pulsing analogue synths, snappy drum beats so tight you'd have trouble breathing, cuts ups and samples all competing for your attention. Its a heady mix and one that rings all the right bells.
Hopefully OL will be having an exclusive chat with Creep Show very soon to dig a little deeper into their workings, but until then, exploring the Yawning Abyss for yourself is an adventure you will want to take.
Yawning Abyss is released in all formats and on the usual streaming platforms on 16th June. They also play a number of dates in June and July, including Latitude.
