Description
https://psalmistry.bandcamp.com/
http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Psalmistry/All_This_Noise/1605/
Armchair Rebellion is the major label debut album by the British techno combo Psalmistry, released on N*Soul Records in 1999, distributed in the US by Diamante Music Group. The album was produced by Barrie Gledden and Tony Silcock. Sampled vocal courtesy of Scott Blackwell. All tracks written by Psalmistry except track 5.
Before I start I’d better admit I’ve been a fan of Psalmistry since I saw them at the Cross Rhythms festival in 1997. Even bearing that bias in mind, I think this is the best dance album I’ve ever heard on a Christian label. I was a bit concerned that Psalmistry wouldn’t manage to catch the raw energy that they have live, however I shouldn’t have worried – from the first banging moments of «Bring Out The Beats» through to the last second of the Massive Attack-influenced «Fireworks» the album has real movement and integrity. The album moves through various moods and styles, from very sparse hip hop sections to full on hard edged big beat techno and even a straight punk track («Paul Daniels» is not my cup of tea but it’s really well done). The album never loses its identity, each track being undeniably Psalmistry. Everytime I listen to the album it gets better, some of the detail work is brilliant, little synth lines in the background that you don’t notice the first few times you listen to it. Lyrically it is uncompromisingly up front but done with so much style that if they can get mainstream distribution I think this will sell well to the big beat fraternity. There are the classics that fans will like, like a version of «By Your Side» with some of Helen’s vocals on it, and some really great string sounds, a live version of «Catch The 101» taken from Cross Rhythms 1997 (the first time I saw them), as well as some new tracks which give a hint of very good things to come in the future. Whether you’ve heard Psalmistry live or not, this is an excellent album and one that will stay in my CD player for a long time to come. [Louis Counter, Cross Rhythms, June 1999]
Psalmistry have finally released the album their fans have been waiting for. In contrast to their previous low-budget recordings, this one is far more professional and convincing than anything they’ve done to date. For most of the album they retain their familiar hard-edged sound (somewhat akin to Prodigy or Chemical Brothers), while adding spacey synths, strong female vocals, and the odd hint that the more jazzy approach of some of their fellow Bristol area acts has been an influence.
To really appreciate this album a good quality hi-fi, or at least a pair of headphones, is required. There’s a lot going on in most of the mixes and the band make extensive use of stereo imaging. Extra vocal layers are often placed some way back in the mix and the beats are also heavily layered. Funky hip-hop vibes add diversity and keep a number of tracks driving, and the rapping is among the best of any Christian dance album.
Lyrically there is a little more here than expected. Many songs have a strong worship focus, and others are directed at those who are either not Christians or are lukewarm in their faith. The band thankfully avoids the cliches common in evangelistic music, and the tracks do stand on their own strength. Personally, I find «Jesus Armchair» to be the most interesting track lyrically as it questions how easily some Christians sit back and accept what they’re told as truth without actively exploring it. This laid-back track is akin to Massive Attack in some ways and is one of the stand-outs for its simplicity.
The frenetic energy of «Hectic» makes it one of most engulfing tracks, while «Didgereborn» is perhaps the most interesting, taking an unexpected look at world music faintly reminiscent of a harder version of Hydro’s Aborigination. Ethnic vocals and didgeridoo work seamlessly in this album – something the band will hopefully continue to do.
Towards its end, the album loses some focus. The punk of «Paul Daniels», while well executed, doesn’t feel quite right in this context and the rap will not be to everyone’s tastes. Yet this is still one of the finest hard-edged dance albums to emerge from a Christian label and well worth the wait. [James Stewart, The Phantom Tollbooth, 4/3/99]
CD tracklist:
01. Bring Out The Beats
02. Drowning
03. By Your Side
04. Hectic
05. Something About Your Love
06. Didgereborn
07. Frontline 2
08. Jesus Armchair
09. Bullet
10. Paul Daniels
11. Catch The 101 (Live)
12. Fireworks
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