Sterilized

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From the very first drum beat to the last, Sterilized is an album which will leave you feel overwhelmed in the best possible way. Out in Worship's second album has been crafted from instruments as diverse as tablas and turntables, and hung together by the pounding drums of Doug Sharin and bass guitar of Joe Goldring. The five songs here represent very different tempos and styles; The first track Sterilized layers whispering upon scratches upon tablas which then explodes into frenzy of rhythm, Nut builds up slowly from brushed snare drums and violins whilst Navajos simply shows how captivating and engulfing percussion-led music can be. Whilst the multi-layered samples, vocals and instruments gives much of this album a rich feel, it's the musicianship of Sharin and Goldring which really impresses. Listening all the way through gave me the feeling that I was listening to an album of jazz improvisation, despite obviously being neither recorded live nor jazz. I imagine the reason for this is that the two instruments rarely given centre-stage on most albums have been given the spotlight here, as they might have been in a smoky jazz club late in the evening. Sharin (the drummer with June of 44 and Rex, both fine bands) and Goldring (bass with Swans, Tarnation and Hope Sandoval), have managed to produce an album which is so richly layered, and yet so clean and loud, that you'll have no end of trouble adjusting the volume control to a suitable level. I advise you to turn it right up and let it overwhelm you (and the neighbours).