06:21:03:11 Up Evil

by Front 242

Overview

The first of two releases for Front 242 in 1993, 06:21:03:11 Up Evil (aka F*ck Up Evil) found the foursome rebounding from the somewhat sterile Tyranny (For You) with a varied, vicious assault. Incorporating guitar noise more readily than ever before, but most often chopped up and heavily treated for the band's own particular purposes, 06:21:03:11 Up Evil contains some of the band's most virulent, explosive songs. All titles are one-word long, simple, and straightforward, with names like "Flag," "Mutilate," and "Crapage." There's almost a straight-up rock feel to a number of tracks as well, as the drumming on "Waste" and the quite anthemic "Melt" shows. It's hardly Front 242's grunge move, though -- Jean-Luc de Meyer and the generally little-heard Richard 23 may have a more openly emotional rasp and rage in their voices, especially de Meyer, but the relentless beat of industrial/electronic body music lives on. Leadoff single "Religion" continues the group's winning vein on that front, feedback roars and a huge beat setting an edgy pace before a body slam of a chorus kicks in, de Meyer raging over the top, "Let me burn you down!" The winning secret of the album is that a fair number of songs also demonstrate a careful subtlety, as with the sly mood-setting of "Skin," with its chopped-up electro/hip-hop beats providing the propulsion behind desperate whispers and ominous synth buzzes. The immediately following "Motion" provides an even more upfront blend of styles, with a quiet start and gentle singing suddenly shifting into a pounding call-to-arms percussion attack, all while de Meyer chants, "progress, progress!" again and again. Other successes in this vein include the strange prettiness of "Stratoscape," featuring a low, purring bassline and crisp beats offset against soft keyboard sparkles and chimes, and "Fuel," which includes minimal ambient buzz, more upfront dance/beat chaos, and varying combinations of the two. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	05/25/1993
Label:	Epic
UPC:	0074645343327

Tracks

1. Crapage
2. Waste
3. Skin
4. Motion
5. Religion
6. Stratoscape
7. Hymn
8. Fuel
9. Melt
10. Flag
11. Mutilate
12. (S) Crapage
13. Religion

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Front 242   Primary Artist
Jean-Luc de Meyer   Vocals
Craig Leon   Director
Cassell Webb   Vocals (Background),Director

Technical Credits

Jean-Luc de Meyer   Composer
JG Thirlwell   Producer,Remixing
Front 242   Composer
Craig Leon   Engineer
Andy Wallace   Mixing
Patrick Codenys   Producer,Composer
Rob Sutton   Engineer
Daniel Bressanutti   Producer,Composer
Brian Doherty   Composer
Ian Thornley   Composer
Cassell Webb   Engineer