The Human Value - The Human Value Album Review

The Human Value
The Human Value
Album Review

Right from the fuzzy bass led wanderings of 'Give Me', this trio of musical liberators from the West Coast, led by the provocative pitch of vocalist Turu, immediately erects a solid foundation from which to project their carpe diem message. This is off-set by a slower and mournful offering 'You Want Him', built from the grinding bass of Hiram, it squeezes into the skirt of PJ Harvey to project feelings of longing and bemusement to an eerily ambient musical base. Previous projects such as Kittens For Christian (Hiram) and The Send Effect (Turu), has laid the foundation for this expansive new wave and raw rocking outfit. A snappy and salacious vocal to and fro between Turu and Hiram in 'Somebody', almost eclipses the effect of The Kills regarding this approach, as the chemistry can be felt on record. It must be quite a hair raising number when performed live?

Tripping guitars and buzzing bass-lines help the positive 'Won't Be Long', to gush out a message of endurance, patience and self-confidence. The vocals take on a sure, but calming stance and the musical backdrop adds some grit to complete the life enhancing parade. The number lingers out of a dark and brooding shadow that is cast over the majority of this daring debut, something that is encapsulated in the haunting 'She', wrapping the enigma of young femmes in a riddle. There is spontaneity to the songs and the feelings projected through them, as the range of Turu and Hiram allows them to explore a range of issues and forms of musical expression, as they use the thrusting percussion of Lynnae Hitchcock to add force to the mood grappling array. The Human Value adds a bit a depth and reflection to modern music. This is going to make the allies out of the music lover who wants more than meaningless rhythm and a catchy chorus from their hobby.

Rating 9/10

David Adair