seven

i wasn't really looking forward to this release after quite unusual lapse of d. thrussel on the previous album with its western influences (took me a while to appreciate some of the songs off that disk). but i was pleasantly surprised byt this release. first of all - stellar artwork, funny as hell, then the music - old snog is back, but funky, diverse, changing and mutating. you will find guitar, noise, hip-hop, drum'n'bass, funny and weird samples, anti-corporate/anti-consumer society sarcastic lyrics - all melted together and overlayed with magnetic voice of d.thrussel.

this album reminds me a lot of black lung - not as experimental and cold, but very diverse, constantly changing and unpredicateble. only snog can mix such hatred and sarcasm with grace and beauty and keep experimenting with different sounds while doing that.

the disk begins with "late twentieth century boy" that starts out as warm danceable track; dreamy chimes and soft melody carries first minute of the song and then the vocals kicks in - recognizable firm voice backed by the bassline (reminding of the old snog we all know). the song flows, occasionally interrupted by swirling noisy samples - the melody collapses, but quickly reestablishes itself. lyrics is wonderful - accusing, demanding, and melancholic. it is one of the best songs on the album, a wonderful start.

the disk continues with "are you normal enough" - colder song, soft ballad with mysterious atmosphere. it features sci-fi sounding parts with a funky sequence and cheesy sci-fi samples.

"real estate man" is another catchy and almost danceable piece. the song starts out with simple beats and then the bassline kicks in. classical snog track with a bunch of samples and funky sounds thrown in.

"is there no-one that can save us from today?" - a soft mellow melody interrupted by rough (almost drum'n'bass?) exploding rhythm and floating synths overlayed with thrussel's voice. it slowly evaporates and disappears at the end.

"mind and purpose" - first thought: nick cave's murder ballads (!). it is graceful, melancholy and is backed by female vocals. the song is wonderfully orchestrated and both voices actually do sing.

"land of the band" - starts out as a hip-hop (!) track and then suddenly changes into monumental track filled with strange noises, bleeps, slips and skips. quite entertaining.

"business as usual" - mysterious atmosphere and twisted menacing voice, noises, breaking rhythms; scary and dark, weird and fascinating.

overall - "third mall from the sun" is not as straightforward as previous stuff, but more a lot more "mature" release. all the songs are filled with wonderful unexpected sounds that make the atmosphere so rich and dense. this is snog's next step - and i like it.