A few years ago I was made aware of an album by Michael Ward's band Mzylkypop, I wrote about it here.
Some years later, and I've been made aware of a new selection of music under the same banner, known as Threnodies And Adhocs. As with When Will The Wolves Howl, this is a full sensory experience. Stylistically, it moves quickly - one moment Soviet Bloc roc, the next MC5 and Beefheart. Ward has quietly been behind a number of mainstream pop hits, and this is far removed from the language and expectations of the contemporary scene, but he seems to have absorbed some kind of maxim of "keep your melodies close, and your harmonies closer."
I haven't had long with the music to delve in to who plays what, but as with the previous outing, this is music performed with all the strident bombast of Link Wray, across lyrics delving into Biblical metaphors, and feeling like the apocalypse was happening as the studio light went red.
Ward has clearly been making the most of his investments in ancient gear, and it all sounds fabulous. The depth of sound is remarkable, one cannot help but feel pulled into the mix. The level of invention in the production recalls Godley And Creme era 10cc (to me, at least, this is no bad thing!).
Given the early Cold War era the music conjures, it feels that all that's missing is the needle drop and surface noise, or tape hiss, depending on your playback preferences.
Speaking of which, it appears an EP of some of this music will be released as a limited edition vinyl pressing via Sheffield's marv'lus doitthissen records..
