This sucker defies all attempts at categorization. It does sound like something of a concept album, and my first thought was Mindcrime. But this is both farther afield and heavier than that.

Fallen Keys Pseudomerica (self-released)

Included on this album is a collection of actual songs that emulate an advance form of industrial groove thrash. In between are electronic, sampled and generally more contemplative interludes. Oh, and Fallen Keys is the pseudonym of one guy from Philly. This is his brain on drugs (or whatever).

The songs are tight and brutal. The interludes are far more meandering, and the intersection of the two is where this album really gets interesting. I've read the bio on the web page, and I don't think I'm all that much closer to understanding, other than the basic idea that this is a commentary on our fucked up society.

Does it make sense? No. Does Fallen Keys have way too many ideas for one album? Yes. Does this album work? Yes and no. But it is one of the more compelling albums I've heard in a while. Remember the second Living Colour album? (probably not, but still...) This is like that, except all the more eccentric due to the one-man band thing. There's a lot going on here, and I can't take all of it in. Boy, do I like that. Oh so much.

Jon Worley