Customer Reviews

Plasticity

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love EPs, but it's a pity this one is so short (19 min), as it contains only two unreleased songs plus one remix. But it should be said that this disc contains one of the best FLA tracks ever! 'Plasticity' just grabs you and pushes you straight to the dancefloor, fuelled by an overwhelming sensation of machine-driven panic... Actually, the song is not very original as it combines all the typical FLA elements, but the formula is so perfect you just can't resist! The second track ('replicant') is more classical, an average product of the 'Hardwired' period, I would say. Finally, the 'zero' remix of the title track by Haujobb is quite cool and atmospheric, but lacks the intensity of the original. Anyway, this true genius track should be enough to make of this EP a precious collector's item.

It's not to say that the other 2 tracks on the single are throw-away, but the real reason to be here is Plasticity. This is what it sounds like when Leeb and Fulber are hitting on all cylinders. It stands as the incredible middle ground between the dense, dark sonic landscapes of Hard Wired and the pounding, dance commanding arrangements on FLAvour, getting both in equal levels and meshing them perfectly. This is definitely the best single FLA ever has and probably ever will put out and it stands very near the top of the list among the group's work as a whole.

If you are an avid Bill Leeb/FLA fan and do not own this single, you are truly depriving yourself of one of the most intense FLA listens possible. The original "Plasticity" single (Track one) begins with various harsh beeps, hisses and electronic growls evolving into a systematic pattern that resembles something you would hear if a space shuttle's jets were warming up. The song then explodes into a violent keyboard pattern while Leeb's vocals create a turbulent chaos in the background. The guitars present in FLA's previous album (1995's Hard Wired) dont show up in "Plasticity", but this song's brutal intensity confirms that guitars are not necessary. To quote Bill Leeb at last night's FLA show at the Cleveland Odean Concert Club- "(Plasticity) is a techno nightmare". Track 2 (Replicant) could have been placed on the "Hard Wired" album due to its similar sound and mild use of harsh guitar. A very good song nonetheless, with excellent lyrics ("An embryo of frustration, replicated by man"). Track 3 (Haujobb's "Zero" remix of Plasticity) displays a more danceable flavor. Haujobb keeps the same general Plasticity sound, but offers varied drum programming and less emphasis on vocals. Overall, any FLA fan will appreciate all three tracks. This disc should be a favorite in your electro industrial collection.

That's right, it's not long enough! That's why I've given this 4 stars instead of 5; it's just a teaser.

'Plasticity' is a hard hitting, aggressive tune with some razor sharp, deep cutting synth work. This is the fastest work I think Bill's ever put out! To me it almost seems like a remix of a song off of Hard Wired, due to the extreme familiarity of some parts of the song.

But I think the real star here is the dark 'Replicant' which is almost old-school FLA. I love this song! If you like songs from Caustic Grip era, mixed with a little Millenium style sounds, you'll love this one!

Then you've got the 'Zero' remix from Haujobb of 'Plasticity'. I'm not a huge Haujobb fan, but this remix is not bad.

I think that perhaps this CD was released to bridge the gap between 'Hard Wired' and 'FLAvor Of The Weak' and make the latter a little more easy to accept. No matter what, Bill Leeb still remains a genius.

Best single of all time by any band, anywhere! This is not an overstatement (I wish). If you liked "Millennium" and you're addicted to the sound of FLA's aggressive synths, this is it. Vocals in overdrive, insane low-frequency chorus (a progression from "Barcode" from the "Hard Wired" album), a lightning-fast synth, what can I say? What makes this single perfect is not only the title track but the other two: "Replicant" with its guitar-heavy industrial sound and Bladerunner theme and samples, and Haujobb's (the other great progressive force in industrial/cyber) remix of "Plasticity" - this is what remixes should be about - reworking a song into a new, razor-sharp creation. I had to order this single from Germany, the only country where it was available, at great cost - the shipping cost as much as the disc - and it was still worth it, a hundred times over.

Plasticity seems at first a song they should have forgotten to include in Hard Wired; but the beat is more danceable and then, mainly after listening to Flavour of the weak, everything is explained, even if Fulber was still here and not Peterson yest. The problem with this song is the voice: it's weird but not cool for me. I don't exactly like Leeb's voice, but on this song I abhor it. Besides, the song is not very original; the other song is as mediocre that one understands why it's not included in any album. Not even the samples from the film 'Cronos', with Federico Luppi's moaning (one of the best actors I've ever seen) can save the song. Leeb and co were a bit stagnated at this time, actually.