Icon Of Coil - The Soul Is In The Software (2002)

The dumbest band name in the history of industrial music is actually the nom de plume of Norway native Andrew LaPlegua, whose involvement with various strains of the American punk, industrial, and hip-hop scenes is legendary in underground circles. Recording with two sidekicks as Icon of Coil, LaPlegua makes music that is by turns fairly generic and surprisingly innovative, and his second long-player finds him continuing to find new ways to develop his particular brand of electronic body music. Listening tip: Try to ignore the frequently embarrassing lyrics and focus on the music itself, which is consistently rewarding. The bloopy old-school synth percussion on "Violations" will take thirty-somethings back to the glory days of Nitzer Ebb and Front 242, while "In Absence" utilizes a highly unusual (for industrial music) 12/8 rhythm (and make no mistake, this is 12/8 -- industrial music does not "swing"). On "Everything Is Real?" the band uses funky beats to break up what is generally a thudding consistency, but also manages to use a relentless boom-chick beat to good effect on "Other Half of Me." Recommended.