Chakk - Clocks And Babies mp3 download

Wizer

Decently adjusted to a CD standard, thanks to the enthusiastic and dedicated label Klanggalerie, "Clocks And Babies" is finally available in proper format. Chakk's debut cassette stood out as the collectors' object of desire long lost - now, finally found and restored from the best possible sound source. This is Chakk at their most primitive yet most adventurous and intense (the closing title song to name a few here, adds to one of the most disturbing such experimental collections of its time, the baby's cries can sound rather discomforting). With the group's playing skill already in mark and at full pace, "Clocks And Babies" inevitably finds its link with a number of fellow Sheffielders - Cabaret Voltaire and early Clock DVA as the ultimate mentors, and most notably Hula as partners in crime, the second generation of post-punks revitalising the stunning blend of industrial, noir and funk (Hula and Chakk established a strong bond sharing members between them, for their uncompromising sound orgies). And while Hula continued throughout all industrial solid, Chakk slowly morphed into a somewhat more commercially accessible force during their later years, keeping these early, subversive edges only slightly in presence (for comparison, check "10 Days In An Elevator").There is another interesting comparison, due to excessively amazing percussion work here - to that of a certain Savage Republic ("Clocks And Babies" adds its voice of support to the equally brutal and raw, the socio-political studio report that is "Tragic Figures") and of course, 23 Skidoo. Certainly at times, Chakk do fill some of the original cassette's space wandering about, trying out ideas ("Picking Blooms With Aunty Offal - "How Many Times Have I Told You?" recalls early Zoviet:France material, most notably "Mama Piss" off their debut (cassette) "Garista" while the tail end of "Clocks And Babies" also heads in the direction of The Hafler Trio (reminiscent of vocal cut-ups on "A Thirsty Fish", albeit that one was still a few years away from this cassette's release) - some of it which may seem a cliché though; by the year 1981/82, the tapes compartment to which Chakk consistently rely on doodling for good measure were already explored and exploited in previous years to the group's activity by many (again thanks to TG and the Cabs', whose presence here is all too evident for that matter by design and default - even to an extent where Chakk use one identical part of the political speech that was at the time also present in Cabaret Voltaire's "Fools Game").But in all, this is a downright rewarding piece of work - not just for those familiar with or plain curious about Chakk's early days. Despite some of the naivety, there is utter sophistication and playfulness that make this a deserved addition to your underground music collection, destined for repeated listening.