The Tropic of Cancer

The Tropic of Cancer

The Thrillers [Persona]

21 May, 2008 | 9.25AM

• Written by: Richard Brophy 2
• Filed under: Music Recommendations: persona, the thrillers, thrillers

‘The Tropic of Cancer’ is proof that outside events often influence music-making.

Conceived during the grey days of Berlin’s non-summer last year by Touane, Donato Dozzy and Nuel, ‘Mamba’ is not close to the exotic, balmy climes that its name suggests.

Like the rain that clattered onto the studio roof as inside, the Italian trio tried to come to grips with the inclement conditions, the jackknifing rhythm and thunder claps create a rhythmic soundtrack for dark days ahead.

But what’s most impressive are the brooding, atmospheric chords: like the accumulation of pressure that forms stormy clouds, they billow to the surface to warn of stormy times ahead.

In contrast, ‘Tin Drums’ sounds like the calm after the storm: dubby, echoed drums and a wriggling, snaking bass underpin a cacophony of muffled voices and displaced sounds - the flotsam and jetsam caused by the preceding hurly burly.

If The Thrillers achieve their best results in such conditions, let’s hope that there are more stormy days ahead in Berlin.

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