ADD N TO (X) LOUD LIKE NATURE ALBUM MUTE, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: OCTOBER 29, 2002 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 19, 2002

Evolution comes to all quirky electronica bands, forcing them to choose direction or die a slow, agonizing death on the pages of academic post rock magazines. Add N to (X) chose life, and emerges here rejuvenated, stepping on the gas and pumping up the volume.
Where the band's previous effort "Add Insult to Injury" was a comparatively slow affair, "Loud Like Nature" emphasizes punk and trashiness in a way that The Prodigy could only dream of getting away with. Still full of eccentric buzzing and beeping sounds, the songs have grown more straightforward, with the vocals of Steve Claydon playing an ever more prominent role. It is an album both diverse and strong in identity, defining Add N to (X) in a way that the previous albums couldn't manage. If previously, I thought that the aim was to confuse the listener, I am now inclined to believe they just want to entertain while having a good time. The stomping, kick-ass pace of "Sheez Mine" and "Large Number" is definitely crafted for mindless fun.
Slightly more subdued tracks in between allow for a breather, but are also fascinating in themselves, especially "Invasion of the Polaroid People", a creepy piece of spoken word suspense featuring legendary 60:s/70:s musical jack-of-all-trades Kim Fowley.

MATTIAS HUSS