Surgeon - Bland Ambition mp3

I broadly agree with Maroko's review of this EP. I feel that it's Surgeon's best release in quite a while, filled as it is with the kind of pure steamroller techno that Tony excels at. The fuzzy two note "melody" of the A1 just screams "you will be assimilated" but all the tracks have that quintessential relentless feeling to them. A shame that his last couple of albums just don't feature much of this.

In just a few words, this is the closest thing we got to the later Counterbalance era of Surgeon (and the hey day of British Murder Boys). In that regard, it may seem - at first - misplaced on the mothership Dynamic Tension imprint, although these are only technicalities we are being picky about.
Music as good as this, as far as I am concerned, can be placed on the market by the same company which is promoting Donald Trump's hair regenerators.

Bland Ambition Pt.1 has galloping, remorseless drum kicks throughout, which slowly get toppled over by an infernal synth buzz, an insectoid avalanche that torments throughout. All the mean while, supplementary damage is provided via the nervous cascades of electric stabs, reminiscent of an assault of a hive of pissed off bees infected with dog rabies. You should adore this if you were infatuated with the industrial era Counterbalance sound.

Bland Ambition Pt.2 is founded on what I would dare say distorted hip-hop drum loops tweaked with a coating of industrial flavor. The bass line is gnarling throughout, however to even things out, it is soon challanged by a surprisingly hopeful and emotive synth pattern that rides the heavy percussion in impracticable perfection. For those who miss Surgeon in his proper off kilter mode, this is single handedly a return to the finest form, with a modern twist on things.

Bland Ambition Pt.3 is the low, down & dirty floor killer of the bunch. Savage drums tearing forth with a rather unsettling bass sequence. Mechanical grasshoppers out to get your corn. And your women. The children too.
As if that was not enough, a straight up horror movie high pitched siren keeps you on the edge of your seat. Never really goes anywhere. Just hangs around. Making everyone and their brother a little bit more anxious. Delicicous vintage Surgeon artillery.

Bland Ambition Pt.4 is along the lines of its A side counterpart, although devoid of the gloomy elements. It's still grey enough though, but it leaves you with glimpses of a better tomorrow and perhaps a ray of sun light, unlike with any of the previous three efforts. The percussion is in off beat mode again, but less on the banging side of things. It has that nice roll along to it vibe that the eternally beloved tunes by the 65D Mavericks use to have. However, right from the get go, lighter motives and flamboyant passages are tossed into the mix, probably to help you find your feet after that previous monster of a track!

For a long time Surgeon fan, this is a no brainer. It sees the producer wear the colors that suit him best. Two glorious cuts to bang out in the club to, and the remainder well placed on the more introspective, yet unmistakibly mechanical end of the spectrum. Lethal material front to back though. Nothing you have not heard from Tony before, but when he does it, it makes you remember just how far behind are countless other acts trying to reinact the aesthetic. Production values are immense. Dirt and filth all the way, yet presented in a clear, crisp and rumbling way. Ought to decimate any self respecting podium.

new ep from child.....very hard bassline beats....fantastic ep....good production....a must buy