1984

I have had to reconsider this album time and time again. At first I wasn't very fond of it, but that has changed now. This is a perfect "time capsule" record. Meaning, if you had to bury a bunch of stuff from the 80's that would be dug up later so as to get a peek into what life was like back then, this would be one of maybe 5 sonic selections that best captured the music of the times. It certainly would be the best example instrumental 80's music. I might pick a (then) wretched Duran Duran selection as one of the vocal albums. But 1984 is so . . . . . .1984! (1981 actually) However, it's typical of the era in an exagerated way. It's really more of a commentary, or an intentional societal, musical look in the mirror. The CD is only thirty-one minutes long with four songs on it. The feel is post- industrial and post-modern. It conveys the overwhelming weight of "man-replaced-by- machine" alienation. The entire work is anchored by a souless, lifeless drumbox. It's brilliant! The Orwellian future has arrived! That said, much of PHILLIPS' synth playing over top of the drums is cheerful and melodic, other parts are steely and anticeptic. An absolute crusher of a song is the final track "Anthem". What a disturbing and meloncholic composition. It always leaves me unsettled. My first impression of this album is that PHILLIPS tried to do something trendy on the cheap. The import of 1984 is so much deeper than that. It is a carefully thought out and perfectly executed sociological statement. It will challenge your comfort zones. Highest recommendation.