THE CONTROLLED BLEEDING CAN YOU SMELL THE RAIN BETWEEN ALBUM TONE CASUALTIES RELEASE: JANUARY 29, 2002 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 1, 2002

Controlled Bleeding have been putting out music, in its widest sense, since 1983, spanning from industrial to noise to experimental. The previous works I've heard by them were quite different and with higher availability than this, their latest album.
This album is like a roller coaster with its ups and downs, and with its changes in direction. It's definitely hard to categorise, although I probably would call it experimental. "Red Hands Waiting" is a great intro song with its slow droning feelings and marijuana moods, built up mostly by traditional instruments and a dominating bass, sounding almost like one by Joy Division. The dark talking is very cool, and the result is surprising indeed. After that song, a sharp twist and it's suddenly dark ambient!
Unfortunately, there are less interesting songs, like the awful "Felch Space Scan". Six minutes long and consisting of what sounds like random and utterly annoying music, like Skinny Puppy's "Download" but much worse. This is not what I would call art, I prefer the word "crap"!
It is nevertheless followed by the title track, which reminds of the first track with its droning and moods. The echoing sound adds to the pleasure. The problem is it is a tad bit too long. Well, its sounds this music is made under the influence from drugs. Another majestic and slightly odd, almost experimental, dark ambient piece follows. Very interesting music here. But the punk rock cover of Brian Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets" doesn't do it for me - it's too long and in need of vocals.
This is an album that shifts a lot in sound and quality. It is varied, but at the same time it is splintered in several ways, and that's how I feel about it too.

JOHAN ASTEMARK