TV- Filth Lust Lies

Artist: TV
CD Title: Filth Lust Lies
Label: Self-Released
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 1/9/05

The debut from TV is a promising one, that’s for certain, with roots in old school EBM in the vein of Skinny Puppy and early Ministry. Unfortunately, like early Ministry, TV’s lead vocalist sings in a faux British accent, which hardly seems to be the best choice for a band from central California. Not all songs are equally tainted, however. The angry delivery compensates for the affectation on the techno-oriented “Fear,” and multiple layers and styles of vocal processing obscure things in a good way on “Get Up.” Apart from the vocal complaint, this album is decent, ranging from more traditional EBM on “Death Sentence” and “Dance of the Decaying World” to more atmospheric stuff on “Beat.” Low points include “Sex Trash,” which aspires to but never quite achieves the sleaze of bands like My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, and “Money,” which ruins its own catchiness with banal lyrics in the chorus. Most of the album is good, though, and there are some really great moments, like the clanking percussion of “Going Nowhere” or the nervous sampled strings bouncing through “Kingdom of Lies.” Rough around the edges, but with plenty of hints at better things to come, TV will go far if they simply fix the vocals a little bit. Remember, the part of Ministry’s career with the fake British accents is the part that Al Jorgensen won’t ever talk about. There is a reason for that.

See what’s on TV at www.tvmuzik.com.