Vancouver-based self-described “rockelectrofreakout” duo Lynx & Ram first formed back in late 2005 when producer Julian Fane emerged from the aftermath of his acclaimed 2004 album Special Forces for Planet Mu, keen to explore the fresh avenues afforded by studio collaboration. In this case, he’s found his creative muse in the form of romantic partner Carli Vierke, originally a classically-trained vocalist with a background in rhythm and blues. This debut album The System’s On follows on from the duo’s recent tour stint supporting Interpol across the US and shows Fane and Vierke angling towards percussion-heavy overdriven noise-pop distinctly informed by the complex breakcore constructions Fane’s previously explored under his own name.
If opening track “Plan Of Attack’ superficially recalls Sonic Youth’s artfully messy noise rock as Vierke’ Kim Gordon meets Kathleen Hanna yelp collides with furious fretwork and bursts of angular guitar distortion, it’s tempered by a ferocious percussive undercarriage that’s far more reminiscent of the directions explored by the Planet Mu catalogue. “Med School’ continues the SY comparisons as Vierke’s lazy drawl practically slides between the few cracks left by a wall of martial punkoid drums, prowling bass and squealing guitar feedback, before “Ghost Ship’ offers a curious diversion into stripped-back tech-house that’s intriguingly offset by Vierke’ vaguely bluegrass-tinged delivery and the addition of what sounds like a volley of sampled batucada steel drums.
The beatless and near-ambient “Fogville’ meanwhile shows Fane’s own electronically-treated counter harmonies entering the mix, tracing a ghostlike path around Vierke’s lead as delicate organ textures float, while “Tiger Fur Coat’ offers up what’s easily this collections’ obvious standout single, fusing streamlined tech-house rhythms to a tight backbone of dark buzzing electro synths, vaguely Detroit-tinged pads and snarling punky female vocals in a serious highlight moment that easily beats Le Tigre at their own game.
While The System’s On is easily one of the most commercially accessible releases I’ve heard from Sublight in a while, this a strong debut collection that shows Fane and Vierke rewiring the jaded femme electro-punk/pop genre with their own distinctive signatures.
Chris Downton
