Artist: Cabaret Voltaire Album: Micro-Phonies

Year: 1984
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Cabaret Voltaire's Micro-Phonies Album

Cabaret Voltaire is a highly influential music group that’s known for their experimental approach to music-making. Their album, Micro-Phonies, released in 1984, marked a significant shift in their music style. It represented the early onset of electro-industrial music with a lot of sonic experimentation. In this post, we'll briefly discuss the history of Cabaret Voltaire, the music genre of the Micro-Phonies album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative aspects of the album, and our personal critique of the album.

Cabaret Voltaire was formed in Sheffield, England, in 1973 by Richard H. Kirk and Stephen Mallinder. The group initially experimented with industrial post-punk music, playing with unique soundscapes that incorporated electronic and tape manipulation. Over time, the band became more experimental, and the Micro-Phonies album is a testament to their journey. The album features a fusion of danceable, almost techno-like beats, fused with dark, intense lyrics.

The album is often cited as an early example of industrial music's genre and its wider incorporation into various electronic music sub-genres such as techno. The genre features heavy use of synthesizers. Micro-Phonies, in particular, features sampled sounds, sharp cuts, and electronic beats that lend themselves to an overall feeling of alienation, foreboding, and bleakness.

The most significant positive points of the album include the catchy, upbeat tracks, which are juxtaposed with the darkness and intensity in lyrics, creating a unique sound that the band was known for. Sensoria is one of the most popular tracks on the album that embodies a perfect balance of the haunting electronic beats and catchy melody. Another track, James Brown,” is a great fusing of funk and techno. It blends a funky bassline, with electronic Handclap samples, and Kirk's robotic voice.

One of the most innovative parts of the Micro-Phonies album is the use of experimental sampling and tape manipulation. The tracks are heavily edited, featuring various cuts, merges, and blends of sounds. Many of the sounds are distorted, chopped up, or otherwise altered to the point where they are unrecognizable, which creates an overall eerie effect.

While the album has many admirable qualities, some of the darker and intense lyrics of some of the songs don't age well, such as the lyrics of Spread the Virus. At times, the lyrics of the album can be off-putting, depending on the listener's taste. The tracks can also feel disjointed, which creates discontinuity and an inconsistent flow of music that ends up being jarring rather than enjoyable.

Overall, Cabaret Voltaire's Micro-Phonies showcases the band's talent for incorporating diverse electronic beats with their dark, industrial soundscapes. It's an album worth revisiting for its innovative use of sampling and various electronic styles, which makes it an important classic in the industrial and electro genres. While Micro-Phonies may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's still considered a must-listen for hardcore fans of the music genre.

Overall, Cabaret Voltaire's Micro-Phonies showcases the band's talent for incorporating diverse electronic beats with their dark, industrial soundscapes. It's an album worth revisiting for its innovative use of sampling and various electronic styles, which makes it an important classic in the industrial and electro genres. While Micro-Phonies may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's still considered a must-listen for hardcore fans of the music genre.