This is the ninth album from US experimental sludge band The Body.
The Body are an always intriguing and shapeshifting band. Whether it’s their albums, (such as No One Deserves Happiness, I Have Fought Against It, but I Can’t Any Longer, or I’ve Seen All I Need to See), or their collaborations, (such as Ascending a Mountain of Heavy Light with Full of Hell Everything That Dies Someday Comes Back with Uniform), The Body always produce something worth hearing.
Crafted from a diverse sprinkling of industrial elements, dub beats, horns, electronica, noise, samples, percussive force, special guests, and more, The Crying out of Things offers up a 38-minute harsh and abrasive expression of The Body’s singular vision. Like much of The Body’s work, this is a multifaceted collection of tracks, with a darkness that’s pierced with shades of grey and the occasional source of light. There is beauty amidst the ruins, and The Body harness and exploit this well.
Between layers of sound can be found worlds of industrial depth that are simultaneously vast and oppressive. While the music is undeniably unfriendly at heart, it’s enriched with enough songwriting smarts and pop/dub/dance/etc. sensibilities to give it an accessible side, (relatively speaking, at least). It’s a record of menacing, immersive atmosphere, yet also one that you’ll find yourself moving to in unexpected ways.
This is the sound of creativity shaping distortion and noise into something harshly addictive. The Body know how to hit the listener with music that’s fearsome, impenetrable, and malevolent, yet also has a dynamic engaging memorability that’s infectious.
There is a very good reason why The Body are held in such high regard, and The Crying out of Things is another sterling example of their unorthodox art. Make sure that you embrace this.
Wonderbox Metal 