THOUGHT INDUSTRY - Short Wave On A Cold Day

THOUGHT INDUSTRY
Short Wave On A Cold Day
Metal Blade Records - 2001
7/10





Kalamazoo’s Thought Industry is quite an unlikely pairing with the Metal Blade Records imprint. When the band signed on for their Metal Blade debut, it is doubtful that Brian Slagel realized the direction that the band would eventually take. Having emerged from their previous thrash metal incarnation known as Desecrator initially retained a large share of their metal roots, however these days Thought Industry is a completely different animal altogether, having more in common with The Cure than the genre of heavy metal.

This evolution was first hinted at on “Outer Space Is Just A Martini Away”, but these days, Thought Industry is solely The Brent Oberlin project (original members having fled the camp and this recording finding the introduction of even more new members, making this a completely different version of the ensemble). This fact is great for those who enjoy this eccentric personality’s creativity and hunger for experimentation, but many fans will find themselves missing the out of control, more rigid and abrasive nature that the group expressed back in the days when their records sported Salvador Dali paintings on their covers.

One aspect that longtime fans will be pleased to entertain is the return of Oberlin’s surrealistic poetry, which is portrayed on this record in it’s classic manner, making for a return from the departure of “Black Balloon’s” more minimalist delivery. Oberlin’s penchant for self-absorption and romanticism gives his lyrics a quality that is seldom seen in contemporary composers. Having carved out his own niche as a writer, the visionary nature of Oberlin’s work places the singer on a par with Morrison in terms of adventuresome, drug-inspired wandering through rhetorical substance.

Exploration is the key in terms of the sound of this project, but there’s a lot less for the more aggressive listener to enjoy. In terms of the progression of Oberlin’s career, this album stands up as a substantial achievement, but Thought Industry (Actually, the band has added an annoying “The” to the front of the name. Yeah, whatever.)

Ultimately, “Short Wave On A Cold Day” is a great album that will aesthetically please those into experimental “big rock”, but this record will likely be too “soft” for those that really enjoyed the bands first two albums.


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