Prinzhorn Dance School -‘Clay Class’ (DFA)
On their sophomore album, the duo of Tobin Prinz and Suzi Horn offer us a bleak, monochrome world. It’s an interesting take on the post-punk sound that makes the likes of Franz Ferdinand and The Editors appears positively over-produced by comparison.
Prinz and Horn’s sound actually owes far more to the spasm-funk of Gang Of Four, the stripped down approach of The Scars and even the less bubblegum moments of The Cure’debut LP, Three Imaginary Boys. The song titles are apt with the key tracks ‘Your Fire Has Gone Out’ ‘Usurper’ and album opener ‘Happy IN Bits’ giving you an idea of what to expect.
It’s a good, solid album but the lack of variety in the approach means that no matter how good the early part of the album, by the time of the last couple of tracks, it is starting to grate a little on your nerves. Still, there are some excellent moments here, which are well worth checking out, if you enjoy the less polished and poppy moments of the post-punk sound (both original and revival).
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Clay Class is out now on DFA.