IAMX: Kingdom of Welcome Addiction Review
A Review of the New Solo Album by Sneaker Pimps' Chris Corner
IAMX is the solo project of Chris Corner, one of the founding member of British trip-hop icons the Sneaker Pimps. Unlike the hit-or-miss style of the Sneaker Pimps, IAMX is a much more focused creative force that is equally outlandish, intoxicating and poetic.
Corner takes the notion of 'solo project' to heart by not only acting as the sole songwriter, performer and lyricist, but also by handling all the production, mixing and mastering duties on IAMX's latest release "Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction".
King of the Electro-Waltz
"Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction" is the follow-up album to IAMX's critically acclaimed 2006 release "The Alternative". On this new record, Corner wisely opts to avoid any major deviation from the successful formula that has earned him such a credible reputation in the dark-electro scene.
The eleven track album eases into things with the aptly titled "Nature of Inviting" which seduces and then dissolves into "Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction" – the first of several dark electro-waltz numbers on this record. Corner has really honed his ability to craft cold, electronic songs in 3/4 time and that sound is becoming an IAMX trademark. "I Am Terrified" and "The Stupid, The Proud" are two other examples on the record that follow in the waltzing footsteps of "President" from IAMX's previous release.
A Heart of Darkness
The core of the record yields more cynicism and darkness as well as a rare collaboration. Corner employs the talents of indie-sensation Imogen Heap on the Percocet-flavoured "My Secret Friend". This is followed by the aggressive drum programming and classic industrial tones of "An I for an I" – easily the heaviest track on the record.
"Think of England" is the first single and should resonate deeply with fans of Depeche Mode and Gary Numan; it may even capture the ear of an adventurous Coldplay listener.
But after all the waltzing and electronic decadence, the album closes out with "Running" – an apt conclusion full of tastefully haunting guitar work that offsets the monotony of the drum machine's tired metallic pulse.
Thinking of England
"Kingdom of Welcome Addiction" proves without a doubt that 2006's "The Alternative" was no accident. In this scene, Chris Corner is arguably the heir-apparent to fellow countryman Gary Numan. Fans of this genre can only hope that Corner continues to pursue the creative potential of IAMX in the years to come.
For those unfamiliar with IAMX and wanting to hear more, "Think of England" is available as a free download directly from the 61seconds website.
Kingdom Of Addiction Album Cover
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles