The Vanishing/Sixteens--split
GSL 2005
When it comes to the marriage of smooth new wave sheen to industrial damage, no two bands do it more right than the Vanishing and Sixteens. Thus, their pairing on this split not only makes perfect sense, it also virtually guarantees a sweet treat for all those who love the form. By the time these four songs run their course, rest assured, every ear should be quite satisfied.
The Vanishing are first up, starting with an alternate version of the title track from their most recent full-length "Still Lifes Are Failing." This particular take of the tune not only boasts a higher audio level than what made the LP, it also seems to be a tad less processed. All of this makes what you get here considerably more immediate and live in feel, the dry forcefulness of the heavily modulated lead synth voice combining with Jessie's super wet and delayed Siouxsie-esque wail to jack the disorientation quotient through your ceiling. The Vanishing close their portion of this program with the unavailable elsewhere cut "Victim Card." An ominous tremble throughout, this sinister ditty features blasts of sax squak which recall Jessie's earlier, equally awesome band Subtonix.
Sixteens pick up the baton with one of their most dynamic cuts ever in "Synthetic Blends." In typical Sixteens fashion, this song is spare, minimal, and repetitive to the point of loopiness. It's brilliant, as always, Kristen's yelping lead vox accentuated to perfection by the monotone male voice, only here a subtle cello line crawls beneath the barrage giving the tune an added dimension of depth. Closing the split, Sixteens serve up "This Knife." Topped only by "Cancellation Projects" off their Casio album, this cut stands as the ultimate highlight of the disc. Driven by the aforementioned monotone male lead vocals, lo-fi synth timbres unite with minimalist beats to yank undeniable hooks out of the ethere and jackhammer them into your brain the way only Sixteens are capable of. A triumphant end to an essential listen.
At the end of the day, it's still a virtual push between the Vanishing and Sixteens as to who rules the roost for this genre. What that amounts to is you getting greatness from both directions and a CD it would be impossible to regret laying down your hard earned dollars for. The no-brainer winner every diehard would expect, or the first exciting step in your discovery of both bands. You simply can't lose.
Score this CD directly from GSL
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