Young Gods - Super Ready/Fragmente Review
by Scott Frazier
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For over 20 years, the Young Gods have been burning the ears of post-industrial hip kids (if they actually exist) the world over from their own headquarters in remote Switzerland. Their latest offering is the rather enigmatically titled "Super Ready/Fragmente". The album opens with the trance-inducing guitar attack of "I'm the Drug", layered over mathy drumming and grinding electronics. The powerful, soothing vocals of Franz Treichler are the only element of the mix which keep the song from spiraling out into the violent realm of harsh noise a la Load Records."Stay with Us" is a soft interlude guided by a surrealistic sitar line and guttural electronic drones which are reminiscent of "Beaches and Canyons" era Black Dice. Treichler's heavily modified voice slips in and out of the song until finally it finally collapses. Throughout the album, the band traverses the depths of drawn-out minimalism ("machine arriere") and the vertiginous heights of arena rock glory (the title track) with impeccable finesse. The Young Gods are tuned in to the finer nuances of every style, and it's obvious in their refusal to pander to any genre. "Super Ready" takes many risks, and almost all of them pay off in the end. This is an album full of miracles. It's a miracle that the Gods can pack such a sheer amount of variety into their songs while maintaining a cohesive listenability. It's a miracle that an album this fuzzed out, off-kilter, and esoteric can still seem so approachable. From the keyboard hiss of "Secret" to the backmasked anthemic guitars of closer "Un Point C'est Tout", somehow none of the songs are overtly frightening or alienating. Not needing to burn out or fade away, The Young Gods have clearly found the secret to aging gracefully.
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Young Gods - Super Ready/Fragmente
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