MISFITS, LOONY TUNES AND SQUALID CRIMINALS

Resonating electronics and radio effects are used profusely on 'Signal 1'

'Host - Blowing the Instrument' has that classic Zoviet France sound of reversed loops - this time using what sounds like a Didgeridoo. You always get the impression whilst listening to Zoviet France that something awful is about to happen and this track pretty much sums up that opinion. Queer horns and erratic percussion fill out this track splendidly as faintly metallic pulses and middle eastern horns jockey for position. The effects on struck objects become heavier and more extreme towards the satisfying conclusion.

'Signal 2' has very threatening spoken vocals that are probably radio based and are wrapped up in whooshing wind-like electronics.

'Flote' at 9.44 minutes is a creepy, quiet and ritualistic tune which has an airy flute instrument mixed in with curious blooping percussion of unknown origin. This is a track that always feels like something monstrous is lurking in the shadows - just waiting till you're not looking...

'Signal 3' startles with its sudden explosion of loud vocal snippets. Once again they are distorted and recorded in reverse.

'Gesture, Signal, Threat' is chock-a-block with more reverse recordings, which really starts to leave you feeling quite bewildered and confused.

'Semasen' has a fluttering ethereal feel from beginning to end and introduces a muted bass line which is quite nice. Flip-flopping sounds run rampant throughout this preternatural tune.

'Rattle Stick Cruss' is a re-working of 1984's 'Ram' which appeared on their excellent compilation 'Collusion'. It has a repeated snippet of Jim Jones (Of Jonestown massacre infamy). Bouncy percussion and all manner of tweaks are rife here. I have to admit though - the Jim Jones vocal does start to grate my brain after a couple of minutes.

'They're Eating The Passengers' is a chilling and foreboding track of twanging metallic strings, mixed with radio transmissions. More 'Wicker Man' type percussion is laid on top creating an altogether more sinister atmosphere than what has gone before.

One of the shorter Zoviet France albums recorded during their most productive period. Highly original and very unusual, 'Misfits, Loony Tunes and Squalid Criminals' is an album that will certainly not appeal to many and sounds nothing like the comedic moniker the title suggests.