The Thought Industry – Short Wave On A Cold Day

[Russell]

The Thought Industry – Short Wave On A Cold Day
Metal Blade 2002
By Russell Garwood

It is difficult to imagine when listening to “Short Wave On A Cold Day” that The Thought Industry’s roots are firmly seated in the metal genre. This, the quintet’s sixth release, is a diverse album of uplifting, unpredictable and memorable music. The vocals are occasionally reminiscent of The Notwist and Placebo, while the post-rocky drums and violins are comparable to Godspeed You Black Emperor (in the latter’s more intense moments). Parallels can be drawn between My Bloody Valentine and The Thought Industry; pop buried beneath a deluge of shimmering guitars. There are also occasional Radiohead and Sigur Ros-esque sections in this sporadically progressive album, on which the slightly pretentious song titles show further Godspeed… similarities:

1. Satan In The Gift Shop
2. I'm Lonely (And Grooving Like Cancer)
3. The Waitress In The Bar Orbiting Io
4. Burning Coal With Margaret
5. Tall Ships On The Rocks
6. Kiss Judy Fly
7. The Measure Of Our Miles
8. Lovers In Flames
9. A Week And Seven Days
10. Particle Hustler
11. Longfellow
12. Hello, Murder
13. So Says Ike
14. Beautiful Coma
15. Interstellar Fix
16. Alien And Pure[/list=1]
    “Short Wave On A Cold Day” starts with a deliberately off-key rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, before progressing into the downcast, touching “Satan In The Gift Shop”. With its thick guitars, effects-laden vocals and well-judged gaps, this is one of the best songs on the album, and is followed by the more upbeat (musically) “I’m Lonely (And Grooving Like Cancer)”. Track three “The Waitress In The Bar Orbiting Io” is the first indication of an interest in astronomy evident throughout the album, and musically is a more groovy piece with strong bass which contrasts the wailing guitars to perfection. “Burning Coal With Margaret”, a more conventional song, is followed by the laid back “Tall Ships On The Rocks”. Next comes “Kiss Judy Fly” a more personal and jumpier proposition than previous tracks, and “The Measure Of Our Miles” introduces a slower and more considered side to the band.
    
    An entirely acoustic piece, “Lovers In Flames” provides some welcome variation before the electric guitars of “A Week And Seven Days” kick in. Track ten, “Particle Hustler”, is busy and insane, but was well placed because the slower “Longfellow” which follows differs greatly. “Hello, Murder” is fairly nondescript, but “So Says Ike” is excellent which only makes not skipping the previous track harder. “Beautiful Coma” is pleasant, but less interesting, and penultimate song “Interstellar Fix, 2056” introduces a slightly jazzier feel to the established formula. Closing track “Alien Pure” has so much going on that it is hard to concentrate on any one component, but is nothing compared to the madness of the untitled track at the end of the album, a bizarre amalgamation of parts that don’t quite fit together, yet at the same time complement each other.
    
    At sixteen tracks this is a long album which can intermittently feel samey, but there is enough variation to avoid monotony. Vocalist Oberlin’s lyrics are slightly surreal with a hint of psychedelia and fit the music perfectly. The Thought Industry have created here a diverse yet coherent album, drawing inspiration from so many places that the result is quite unique. “Short Wave On A Cold Day” is an inspirational album, and while it may not suit more short-sighted listeners, for every-one else it is essential...