Alan Vega - Mutator
Without commercial success, Suicide were surprisingly influential. Hounded off stage and sparking riots opening for The Clash and Elvis Costello, Martin Rev (electronics) and Alan Vega (vocals) were visionary heroes to an enlightened few. Without Suicide, it is arguable that the synthpop boom of the 1980s – and the 21st century pop that influenced - would have been very different. Outside of Suicide, Vega’s work veered from rockabilly to artnoise.
Passing away in 2016, Vega left an archive of unreleased material. Recorded 25 years ago with Vega’s wife/regular collaborator Liz Lamere, polished up by Lamere and Jared Artaud, Mutator is the first release from that collection.
It is not Vega’s best album. Although generally short, some songs drone and pound away to little effect. Others are among Vega’s very best. Over swelling synths, industrial noises and pounding drum machine, Vega’s vocals at their most Presleyesque on Fist. Muscles mixes drones with disconcerting, disturbing vocals. Vega’s vocal delivery is the unholy union of a televangelist and a corrupt politician on Samurai. Filthy brings to mind Iggy Pop’s 2019 LP Free. Nike Soldier could be a down-tuned Depeche Mode.
Fans of Vega’s other work will enjoy, perhaps even love, this. Those new to Vega should explore the first two Suicide LPs before trying this and the recent Revolutionary Corps of Teenage Jesus reissue.
7/10
