Artist: Cabaret Voltaire Album: The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord

Year: 1985
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Cabaret Voltaire's Album: The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord

Cabaret Voltaire is a British experimental electronic band that has been active since the 1970s. Their unique style of music combines elements of industrial, post-punk, and electronic music, and they have amassed a loyal following over the years. One of their most unique albums is The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord, which was released in 1985. In this blog post, we will be taking a critical look at this album, exploring its history, genre, standout tracks, innovative moments, and what makes it a must-listen for fans of the band.

The History of Cabaret Voltaire: Cabaret Voltaire was formed in Sheffield, England, in the mid-70s by Richard H. Kirk, Stephen Mallinder, and Chris Watson. The band was named after the famous Zurich nightclub that was a hub for the Dada movement in the early 1900s. Cabaret Voltaire quickly made a name for themselves with their early experimental sound and DIY approach, which involved using a mix of live instruments, synthesizers, and tape loops. Over the years, the band has gone through various lineup changes, with Kirk being the only constant member.

The Genre of The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord: The album marks a departure from Cabaret Voltaire's earlier experimental sound and sees them adopting a more political, industrial sound. The album is heavily influenced by the socio-political climate of the time, with themes of war, government control, and propaganda running throughout the songs. The sound is dark, brooding, and laced with heavy synths and drum machines, which create a sense of foreboding.

Standout Tracks: The album contains some of Cabaret Voltaire's most well-known tracks, including I Want You, The Operative, and Illuminated. I Want You is a standout track that combines a driving beat with a catchy, almost pop-like melody that belies the darkness of the lyrics. The Operative is another standout track that features a menacing synth line and pounding drums that build to a frenetic climax. Illuminated is a haunting instrumental track that features layered synths and an eerie choral vocal sample.

Innovative Moments: The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord is a great example of Cabaret Voltaire's ability to innovate and push the boundaries of electronic music. One of the most innovative moments on the album is on the track L21ST, which uses a sample of a political speech that is manipulated to create a stuttering, glitchy effect. The use of political speeches is a recurrent theme throughout the album and shows Cabaret Voltaire's willingness to use their music to comment on the world around them.

Album Critique: While The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord is a standout album in Cabaret Voltaire's discography, it does suffer from some pacing issues. The album can feel a bit unfocused at times, with some of the tracks feeling like they're meandering rather than building towards a climax. Despite this, the album is still an essential listen for fans of Cabaret Voltaire and electronic music in general, as it shows the band at the height of their creative powers.

In conclusion, The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord is a fascinating album that highlights Cabaret Voltaire's transformation from experimental outfit to political commentary. The album's varied use of samples, dark soundscapes, and standout tracks make it a must-listen for fans of the band. The album may have its pacing issues, but it still stands the test of time as an influential album in the industrial and electronic music genres.