THIS WAY TO THE SHIVERING MAN

Of course his electronic projects are not a WIRE extension, but his punk n' spunk is still there. This compilation and edition of his first 2 releases (1984-1986 respectively) combines their titles into one 1987, "This Way To The Shivering Man" album. As a follower of both WIRE and Gilbert's solo endeavors, it is not that far-fetched to understand the reason to merge both releases. As entities they both had their flawless compositions, a mix between both's best is totally understandable and welcomed.

This album exceptional attribute is the perfect understanding between "serious" electronic proposals tainted by Gilbert's punk spirit of being raw but not simple opposite to his chronological contemporaries. This compilation is conceptual but without a lyrical concept. Its well achieved compositions are full of hooking riffs, never devoid of humor but not funny. The well tempered musical idiom is experimental but focused , not that different from some of WIRE's early material. Its highlights are abundant and when not as such the musical proposals travel impeccably through various electronic stylings as Cosmic, Industrial, Drone or minimalistic Dark/Ambient and post-Punk.

A perfect introduction to this musicians discography, which in itself, is always transmuting into different shapes of the electronic musical languages' world.

****4 PA stars.