As Able As kane (AAAK)

Totalitarian Tip Toe

Review By Andrew Barclay

Back in Manchester in the late 80s and early 90s, the music most closely associated with the city was the psychedelic dance tinged beats of The Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses. It was in this musical environment that 'As Able As Kane' emerged. However, AAAK were a no nonsense industrial influenced band, and this in itself separated them from the other groups of that period.

Perhaps because of this different musical slant, the band caught Record label attention and they were duly signed. Two albums later and several appearances on John Peel's now legendary radio show, the band found themselves in 1992, and with the group’s members all being involved in other projects, AAAK split up.

Some 17 years later, the 'Electric Tremor' label approached the band about putting out a 'Best of' album, and with renewed enthusiasm, the band decided to record and tour again. 'Totalitarian Tip Toe' is the resulting comeback album, and it's a beast of an album. Paul Rawlinson’s vocals are authoritative and strong, accompanied by the programming and synth wizardry of Simon 'Ding' Archer.

'Achilles Heel' sets the tone, with its dark electronic stabs of synth and moody vocals by Paul Rawlinson.

"Just close your eyes and think ahead, not everybody who has died is really dead" Paul whispers, with Ding's hypnotic electronic alchemy simmering in the back ground. The song explodes into action and the album starts proper.

'Trigger Finger' grinds into action, with all the dark aplomb showcased in the previous track, and already, your aware your listening to the best album AAAK have recorded so far.

'Any Kind Of State Of Mind' is a booming industrial work out, with the chant of "Peace, Wealth, Money, Life", the track quickly moves into a gargantuan bass heavy track, reminiscent of NIN at their very best.

'Everything’s Real' with its sprawling bass line and back beat is closer to the bands earlier work, but brought up to date by its edgy and modern sounding production. 'Now That I Know' bring to the forefront Paul Rawlinson’s distinctly northern vocals, over a varied track that veers from an almost Jungle like beat, to the panic inducing synths supplied in plentiful amounts by Ding.

'Better Off Dead' kicks in with a techno inspired synth arrangement and a drum heavy pattern that bombards the listener instantly. 'Out Here' is more dance orientated, faster and as engaging as it gets.

'Re-Generate' slows the pace down initially, with swampy, dark wave backing, the perfect foil for vocalist Paul Rawlinson’s chantey vocals. 'Get in the Real World' bursts into action, and after its hard edged industrial intro, settles into a moody, bass driven piece.

'Kingpin' begins the end of the record, and for listeners who weren’t around to hear AAAK’s influences the first time around (the likes of 'Front 242' and 'Revolting Cocks' are listed as direct influences) the echoes of American industrial shock rocker 'Marilyn Manson' may spring to mind.

'Totalitarian Tip Toe' is out soon on the Electric Tremor label, for info visit the bands Facebook page at;

https://www.facebook.com/

And

http://www.aaak.co.uk