The latest release from Curve is being hyped by their new label as a natural merger of electronica and noise-pop. While the description is accurate, genre bending and blending is nothing new for the band, which has been moving in this direction since their 1992 debut, "Döppelganger." On "Come Clean," overdriven breakbeats collide with Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired guitar drones, buzzing synthesizers and singer Toni Halliday's menacing yet seductive vocals.
This time around, the drum loops and electronics are pushed up in the mix at an equal level with the guitars instead of hovering in the background. Still tracks like "Sweetback" and "Recovery" feature the grand, white-noise jams and moody atmospheres that made Curve's early music so attractive. Though this beat-heavy direction may turn off some old fans, it seems like a natural progression for a band who have set their sights on making innovative music for years to come.
