Fektion Fekler -- Kling Klang Bedlam

Released
1998

Label
Pendragon Records

Reviewed by
Dr. Donald Netolitzky

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Last Edit/Update
26 February, 1999

Fektion Fekler

Kling Klang Bedlam

Track Listing

1. Dehabilitated (Off the Wagon Mix)
2. The Dowser That Couldn't Douse
3. Just Another Try
4. Reverb Deficiency
5. Tingle
6. Limbic (Blue Torpedo Mix)
7. Anawanala
8. Unconditional Surrender
9. Maker, Make Believe
10. Dipsomania
11. Wiser For The Winter
12. Overway (Wibble Wobble Mix)
13. Setting Sun
14. untitled
15. untitled

    Fektion Fekler's an odd project, somehow seems to slip past one's notice, only to then spike your attention at later moment. Their first album, From Here To Heaven, struck me as pleasant, but in many senses, unremarkable. Until I encountered one of the tracks on a dance floor, months later, and while thoroughly enjoying myself wracked my memory... "Who IS this? I know this song from somewhere, and damnit, this works."   Sneaks up on you, it does.      Kling Klang Bedlam, on the other hand, has tracks which slap one into another state on first contact. An astonishing degree of maturation has occurred in the past two years, and what once slinked now storms the gates. The boys have learned... Fektion Fekter's style has been often compared to Mentallo and the Fixer and with some justification, an often very danceable flow of light, warm melodies, synthetic and often instrumental tones (flute, bells, piano) which collide with distorted vocals, the aggression contained only within the human voice, not the music itself. Percussion is subdued, as are the blatantly inorganic elements of much electronically generated music. Many of the compositions do not attempt to build to a climax, but rather offer a level, but by no means, homogenous, intensity. But Kling Klang Bedlam is not merely a Mentallo pastiche but rather the elaboration of a style to yet another level. Melodically gentle, even at times rich and warm, the tempo of tracks range from mid paced dance to languid. Not all individual songs are equally appealing -- but those which are effective (most) are gems.
    Dehabilitated -- bold hollow base chords and percussion entwine with an agonized drifting vocal element, moans and words. Onward and on, until minutes later, a quiet, sweetly sad melody intrudes and replaces the previous structure.
    Limbic -- a stunning creative expression, alone worth the price of the album. Faint and subdued mid range chords build gently leading, hesitantly, to a spiraling melody of bells, paced to draw the composition onward. Layer upon layer of elaboration, deep warm full chords, expanding percussion, beats first hinted then building to a climax; an exultation of distant driven vocals, full and satisfying.
    Maker, Make Believe -- flute and staccato tones play counterpoint to slow sad vocals. Rising in volume and intensity only to fade and elaborate.
    Dipsomania -- wooden toned base, percussion and deep forceful harmonies accompany forceful vocals, both vocals and melody build in intensity, frustration, but never to anger, never quite into a howl. And flows onward, simple sincerity.
    While individual tracks are singularly delightful, the album as a whole presents a very comfortable listening experience, the variety of pace and tone maintains interest, and the musical content weaves a remarkable and relaxed mood, building emotion during the more driven pieces, only to relax the pace in the more placid interludes. One odd point, not all the transitions between songs are at all graceful, some samples are quite intrusive, and at times individual song styles are so different that the emotive shifts are clumsy. But these are momentary distractions.
    Any EBM consumer who enjoys a somewhat gentle tone, and most certainly, any fan of Mentallo and the Fixer should investigate this album. Given the comfortably paced and flowing beat of many tracks, DJ's will also find Kling Klang Bedlam a valuable source, many of the tracks are very infectious and certainly suitable for any electro/EBM context, especially as a somewhat slower tempo interlude - industrial perhaps, but this industrial is light and non-threatening. Not without feeling, not shallow, there's substance here, the emotions are deep and heartfelt, just the touch itself is light.
    Vectors are always a satisfying observation - provided the direction is upward. And with their second album, Kling Klang Bedlam, Fektion Fekler has established a polarity. They're ascending, into a locus of quiet beauty and modest wistfulness. And there, spinning webs which are both gentle and yet capture and hone emotions. We can only hope the process continues unabated.