Shane Cough- Intraveneuse

Artist: Shane Cough
CD Title: Intraveneuse
Label: Enlarge Productions
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 10-20-05

Neither a disease nor an actual person, Shane Cough is actually a French industrial/punk crossover. Shrill enough to give Atari Teenage Riot a run for their money but less dependent on over-clocked drum machines, the band combines the angry female screams and jungle-influenced breakdowns popularized by Germany’s Digital Hardcore Records with more rock-oriented guitar arrangements. It’s catchy and aggressive at the same time, with tracks like “Taste of Bruises” and “Suffocate Me” adding a hint of playful sexiness to frantic rhythms and screeching guitars. For all its energy, though, this album highlights spotless arrangements and squeaky-clean production values, as evidenced by the angry yet addictively fun industrial pop of “Suffocate Me” or the way “Headstripping” can effortlessly switch from teeth-gritting belligerence to delicate pianos. Shane Cough is that rare band that’s completely raucous and raw on the one hand and musically exquisite on the other. Fans of such acts as Pigface, Ec8or, and of course the aforementioned Atari Teenage Riot should definitely take note.

Visit www.shanecough.com for more information.