These guys might be in the obscure folder, but their contribution to the development of wave music is unquestionable. Mannequin have done their homework on this one and produced a historical catalog of synth wave development, all through the sounds of one group.
[Mannequin Shop] For one of its latest releases Mannequin comes to you via Oceania. When you think of new wave and minimal synth, Australia would not spring to mind. The vast continent has never really been a heavy hitter in the electronic scene. Yet, its under-representation does not mean that some gems did not come from down under. Alongside the likes of Car Crash Set (NZ) were The Metronomes. The group released two albums and a couple of singles between 1980 and ’85. Since then the trio of Ash Wednesday, Andrew Picouleau and Al Webb have languished in relative obscurity. Mannequin has breathed new life into these Aussies, re-issuing their back catalogue across a 2LP+7” release: Ballad of the Metronomes.
The 1981 album, Multiple Choice, is up first. The group’s sound has a post punk quality to it, but is measured and quite relaxed. Their use of synths lies next to strings and real time beats, as “Living Person” and “Sex I.” Distortion creeps and stalks the guitars with analogue sounds used to create mood and texture. Experimentation shifts and swerves with The Metronomes toying with structural conventions. “The World is My Oyster” has a pure 80’s punk wave bravado and a yearning synthline; bit of an anthem piece. Instrumental and vocals are swapped back and forth across the record.“Music for Lounges” is a wonderfully melodic piece of string and synth whilst “Sex II” brings sampling and squelch to the fore. “Hey Coach” is a traumatic atonal interlude before the excellent “Justification.” Deep and autumnal piece of synth wave. The melancholy of “Bad Timing” ends the first album.
Next is the 1985 LP Regular Guys. A more polished synth wave guise appears to have washed over The Metronomes between ’81 and ’85. “Soap” keeps the raw passion of Multiple Choice but now has a studio clean to its chords. This isn’t to say the guys have abandoned their roots, not the case, but the garage sound has definitely had a spring clean. “Regular Guys” is a terse mechanical piece of synth pop. Choral constructs sit within spartan beats and an almost absent melody. “18 Creature” sees samples collaged before strings and vocals are laid over to produce a superb piece of synth wave rock. The rock sound pushes through onto the flip-side with “Deluxe Service Station” and the strings hold onto some of that sound for “Losing Things.” ‘Regular Guys’ has quite a hazy dreamy feel throughout, with lyrics being blurred in strings and synths; especially in the penultimate piece “Make it Plain.”
In a nice wee bonus Mannequin have brought the first two 7” releases back on a single piece of wax. “Saturday Night” is first up. A dark cerebral piece of string with a metronome being employed for the rhythmic sections. “Saturday Morning” takes on a more playful guise with brass appearing. “A Circuit Like Me” is a piece of classic computer inspired synth wave. Brilliant and one for any minimal fanatic, cold and robotic. “Closed Circuit” is a much warmer affair with its lush chords and analogue tones,
The Metronomes have such a varied style and sound that it is quite difficult to throw up comparisons. In some ways they sound like a subdued Sudeten Creche or string happy Dark Day. The group’s choice of instrument fluctuates across the album, and with it their style and tone shapes and adapts. These guys might be in the obscure folder, but their contribution to the development of wave music is unquestionable. Mannequin have done their homework on this one and produced a historical catalog of synth wave development, all through the sounds of one group.
Ballad of the Metronomes is out now on Mannequin. [Mannequin Shop]
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