CRISIS - Like Sheep Led To Slaughter
May 27, 2004, 20 years ago
(The End)
NYC's creepiest have been living in L.A. for a while now, but their sound is still suitably scrappy, like the clanging of the big cities, the schizophrenic smorgasbord of sounds all melding together into something that just never quite works. And ain't that the way with Crisis, too much happening at once, too many sounds to digest; even the vocals are just a bit too unique (go figure). Having said that, the vocals are also a highlight (huh?), Karyn Crisis (wonder if that's her real last name?) screaming, whispering, crooning, singing, groaning, squeaking, you name it... but it gets to be a bit much. Musically, it's still a strange mix of gloomy, metallic hardcore and dark, twisted, mind-bending apocalyptic Neurosis art metal. Lyrically, it's no-hope poetry mixed in with a bit of social commentary; it reads good but gloomy. But yeah, like I say, it's always been totally respected on paper in my mind, but on plastic in my stereo it just becomes a lot to take in. But boy, interesting ideas and integrity galore; you just kinda secretly hope the members of Crisis smile now and again, you know? Caustically, noisily, wonderfully produced by underground hero Billy Anderson.
