ClockDVA* - Advantage

If asked "Which 10 records would you bring to a remote island?", this would be one of them.
In contrast to the rather Industrial first album "Thirst", this is almost a commercial release. And yet it is a haunting experience with Adi Newton's vocals in combination with the instruments.
The use of horns, combined with some typical Clock DVA musical elements, makes this record almost a fusion of avant-garde jazz and New Wave. Tortured Heroine, Eternity In Paris, Poem and especially Dark Encounter add a dark element to this release which is however contrasted by upbeat Beautiful Losers, The Secret Life of the Big Black Suit, Resistance and Breakdown. No wonder these tracks were also released on 12"s with extended mixes. Altogether an oustanding record of the 80s, if you like the edgy, experimental style of it.

An amazing mix of early-80s postpunk, hard funk and dub elements. This release (originally released on vinyl in May of '83) seems to be what Clock DVA had been striving for since their first obscure cassette release in 1979. The sound is very original and also very surprisingly accessible. The lyrics are dark and intelligent, driven to great effect by frontman Adi Newton's expressive half-spoken/half-sung vocals. The guitar work is exceptional--these guys may have been listening to a bit of Fela Kuti when recording tracks such as 'Tortured Heroine' and 'Noises In Limbo'. Track 2, 'Beautiful Losers' is my all-time personal favourite.

The CD adds all the contents of the original LP release plus the 12" versions of 'Resistance' and 'Breakdown' (great tracks in their own right) as well as some pre-LP b-sides. Difficult to acquire but a great find nonetheless.