This Song Is a Mess But So Am I front man proves little has changed: Somewhat intriguing noise project

This Song Is a Mess But So Am I was a solo electronic/noise project lead by Freddy Ruppert. He has now formed a new trio with Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart. Xiu Xiu's music draws heavily from post-punk, ambient and techno. The final member of this collaborative is Nika Roza of experimental band Zola Jesus . As you can imagine the result is cacophonous of resonance. The title of the album refers to the white-flowered iris and many of the songs were written by Ruppert prior to the inception of the band.

An overriding influence is clearly that of an embryonic Joy Division, particularly on the lead song ‘Us and Now.’ It is reverb heavy with muffled vocals. ‘Hold On,’ is a mutation of eighties synth pop. While ‘In Earth's Palm’ is like a particularly strident version of a Cocteau Twins song and features Roza on lead vocals. ‘While I Wave,’ is Stewart’s baby and features toy instruments and children’s voices. ‘Dreams,’ is somewhere between ambient electronica and Bauhaus.

The piece certainly warrants more judicious recording and editing. Strangely that is also part of its makeshift charm. Mark Stewart and the Maffia spring to mind as a comparison. With themes of heartbreak, death, needing and wanting it’s no walk in the park for the listener. The darkness of the album is exaggerated by ever more experimental structures. Mark Stewart and the Maffia spring to mind as a comparison - A somewhat intriguing noise project.
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Mandy Williams