Lunatic Calm rewire the archives on ‘More Lunatic Than Calm Vol 2’

A year after beginning to rewire the Lunatic Calm back catalogue, Simon Shackleton has returned to the vaults for another collection of reworked, rare and previously unheard gems from the band’s 1996–2002 era. Across nine tracks, ‘More Lunatic Than Calm Vol. 2’ twists and turns through distorted breakbeats, acid electronics, propulsive grooves and widescreen cinematic production, capturing Lunatic Calm at their most energetic and uncompromising.

The seminal electronic project founded by Shackleton and Howard ‘Howie’ Saunders, Lunatic Calm emerged from the late-’90s collision of breakbeat, big beat, acid, rock and industrial electronics. Best known for the iconic ‘Leave You Far Behind’, their distinctive electronic-rock approach stood in stark contrast to the ravey techno and emotional house of the time.

The blistering drum breaks on album opener ‘Neon Ray (Jammin’ With The Man Mix)’ immediately demand attention. With an almost human ferocity, they rage against the machines whirring and buzzing all around. ‘Roll The Dice (Lunatics Session Tape Mix)’ brings even more pressure, with snarling vocals snaking through a mix full of acid prickles and muscular bass.

‘Long Shadows (Drum & Space Mix)’ does exactly what it says on the tin, reconfiguring the original around a lean, menacing drum & bass rhythm that proves darkly alluring. ‘Quicktime Culture (Original ‘Album’ Mix)’ fizzes with sound design that still feels sent back from the future. ‘Sound of The Revolution (Lunatic’s Original Big Beat Mix)’ completely flips the script with a jazzy jam that evokes old-school b-boy culture through scratching, trumpet stabs and a beat as playful as it is colourful. ‘Leave You Far Behind (Filthy Acid Remix)’ takes things back to the heart of the dancefloor, with strobes flashing and psychosis brewing, before ‘Losing The Rush’ marries angular guitar riffs with screeching electronic synthesis.

The closing pairing completes this feverish journey: ‘White Line Fever (Acid Frenzy)’ with its pneumatic drums and knife-sharpening percussion, followed by the more subdued, elastic and rubbery breaks of ‘Basement Level (Elite Force MonstaMix)’.

Stream / Download here

by Decoded Magazine

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