You've got to love the Internet. It is a very effective way of getting to hear a whole variety of music that would otherwise never reach your ears. All the way from Serbia to Scotland comes this album from Belgrade based PNDC (real name - Predrag Nedic). Brought to the Bluesbunny's attention by an appearance on the "A Weevil in a Biscuit" compilation from Edinburgh's Bearsuit Records, our curiosity was well and truly piqued by PNDC's contribution.
"Fading Away" is an interesting album. A collaboration between PNDC and Greek artist Housework, it is a fine piece of pan European co-operation. In fact, we would go as far as saying that this is the best mix of European influences that we have heard in quite some time. "Pick up Your Tears" has an ethnic feel that neatly contrasts with the urban beats with dramatic vocals giving it a distinctly theatrical sheen. In an alternate universe where talent gets credit, this song would win the Eurovision song contest. "Dream about Love" sounds positively humourless in that dreadfully serious German rock band way but ends up coming across as something of an affectionate pastiche. All sorts of images of driving along city streets were conjured up by the title track "Fading away" - it is a remarkably effective piece of aural poetry. Then "Thin Moon" swirls out of the speakers taking us back to seventies' period Bowie or Brian Ferry. Again there is poetry and drama in evidence here but what is more impressive is how easy this song is on the ear whilst being complex in structure. "Disco, Disco" is all shadows and neon and deserves to be experienced in some dank Berlin nightclub. If you ever wondered what truck drivers listen to whilst racing down the autobahn with a load of nuclear waste behind them then it would be "Merrygoround/ravens nest" -just the song to open the gates of hell. You might have guessed by now that it was not hard to come up with the words for this review.
The most impressive thing about this album is that it never sounds cold. Clearly a lot of care has gone into its production and the end result is warm and interesting. So this is one album that deserves to be a success. It isn't perfect but it shows a degree of imagination and intelligence that makes it a rewarding listen with definite long term appeal and it is one of those albums that remind the Bluesbunny why we started reviewing independently produced music. Well worth tracking down.
Available from Listen Loudest Records.