5IVE - Continuum Research Project

My first impression of 5ive is definetly a profound "what the fuck?" as this disc contains two songs, "Part I: The Hemophiliac Dream" and "Part II: The Hemophiliac Dream (James Plotkin Remix)." So really, it's just one song - as the second track is just a remix of the first. I am also informed that 5ive is "ultra-unaccessible pop tunes geared for audiences age 1 through 100" and "goes well with excess dosages of vicodin, xanax bars, oxy contin, and other pharmeceutical-grade chemical enhancements." The first track is 24 minutes long. This is not something you pop in your CD player for your friends and say "Hey guys! check this out!" unless you're already in a drug-induced haze and have nothing to do for a good half hour. 5ive is very reminescent of the longer songs by Mogwai or Godspeed, You Black Emporer!. Lots of building up, exploding, dying down, staying low for awhile before building up again, etc. It's not a new formula but that doesn't mean that since you've already heard Mogwai you don't need to hear this. It's got it's own twist on things and makes for some excellent background music (or even some forefront music for those in a blank stare / drooling state of mind). Some of the guitar tones are reminiscent of Queens Of The Stone Age dirty fuzz, or your favorite meandering squealching yet controlled feedback band. The remix of "The Hemophiliac Dream" just extends things further and in a slightly different direction. Strangely enough, it makes "Part I" appear to be the more straightforward approach. To put it simply, this is where the trip goes bad. The remix isn't bad, but the state it puts you in could be a very scary and unhealthy place. Lots of bizarre screeches, left-to-right-and-back speak phasing, haunting type howls, and an ominous heartbeat-esque thumping. 5ive is worth looking into but don't fall asleep during "Part I" because when "Part II" kicks in and invades your REM sleep you will be ravaged by hellspawn and raped by demons. Alright.. maybe not, that's a bit intense. It might just wake you up and make you feel a bit out of sorts with the world. [www.tortugarecordings.com]