This is mightily impressive. From their beginnings as a drum’n’bass influenced live outfit, Pivot has always been forward looking in their approach. The tracks on this 12″ release sound like the work of a very confident band, able to make big sounds without falling into bombast.
The title track kicks of with a snatch of every drummer’s nightmare – that headache inducing tick tack of the generic clicktrack sound. From here Pivot launch into a Battles-like groove held together by bassline-as-hook underneath scrawling guitar improvisations, some strident synth riffing and itchy, distorted percussion. ‘Didn’t I Furious’ builds on a riff of recycled static with drums as the real lead instrument – straight 16ths interspersed every couple of bars with triplet accents and the odd 32nd note drum roll. Infectious. Rustie’s remix of ‘In The Blood’ has the synth lines squelching like a rhythm track, adding extra momentum to the half-step. Clark’s rework of ‘Sweet Memory’ takes a much more atmospheric approach, but there’s no chance of it fading into the background. The rhythm sways between another half-step groove and an odd shuffle as processed acoustic guitar and double bass loops swing assertive triplets into the mix. Heady stuff and immensely satisfying.
Adrian Elmer
