MARK OF THE MOLE

This is the last album of their so called classic period of eight straight records to start their careers. This is a concept album about the Moles who live below but their homes are flooded. So they are forced to live above with the Chubs and things just don't go well. A classic tale. The one thing that stands out about this record when comparing it their previous seven is how dark it is. It's like they decided to channel those electronics towards creating atmosphere and moods. This is not an easy album to digest.

Released in 1981 we get six tracks worth about 41 minutes. And while I'm not into concept albums, I find this one to be very interesting and well done with the way everything flows and how they tell the story instrumentally and virtually with samples etc. I would place this in the lower half of their first eight releases but this really holds up well to repeated listens, it doesn't get old. So while I'm not overly enthusiastic, I am convinced enough that there is something special going on here, to go for that fourth star.