People were just beginning to utilize found sounds in their music at that time, and Martha And The Muffins showed a fine and judicious touch when employing them on Danseparc. My personal favourite was the use of scraps of soap opera dialogue on "Walking Into Walls", as the segments act as a perfect complement to the song's lyrics as well as serving as an example of the behaviour the song is talking about. In other places it's impossible to know what exactly the found sound piece is, as it has been so skilfully blended into the mix. For them the object it to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts, not to show off the individual parts in an effort to impress anyone. It's a sign of their maturity as composers and musicians that their work had evolved to such an extent that even something as new as this was merely seen as an additional instrument to be incorporated into the mix.
Having grown used to keyboards and synthesizers as pretty accompaniment to light and fluffy pop tunes, I had forgotten it was possible for them to be used as aggressively as electric guitars. Danseparc not only destroys that misconception, it dismantles any thoughts you might have about new wave bands only making pretty, airy, music suitable for vacuous dance parties and little else. There's a raw edge to this recording that's the equal to or stronger than anything that their punk contemporaries might have created, or that others have created since.
As of now, you can only purchase a copy of Danseparc through the band's web site and CD Baby but it will enjoy wider release on September 26th/08 . As an interesting sidelight, they are also offering for sale an old interview tape that was produced to promote the record's original release. Parctalk contains what Mark Gane refers to as a "carefully composed interview... featuring all the interesting (and presumably saleable) aspects of the album" with the interviewer's questions edited out. This was pressed as an LP and distributed with the questions printed out to radio stations so DJs could personally "interview" the band. While it sounds sort of sleazy, it does give you some interesting insights into the band's process.
With the predominance of industry controlled new wave bands in the later part of the eighties, it became easy to forget that at one time new wave was worth listening to. Martha And The Muffins' Danseparc wedded the energy of punk with technology and subtle intelligence. Hearing it again has me eagerly anticipating whatever it is they have planned for the future. Anybody who was making music this good twenty-five years ago is bound to be heads and shoulders above ninety per cent of what's on the market today.
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1 - DJ Wave
Martha And The Muffins - Special Guest appearance on Retropolis to promote the recently reissued Danseparc.
Martha and Mark will talk about upcoming releases, touring, Danseparc and History of the band. Stop by and say hello on the chat board.
Monday, October 27th, 2008 - 8 PM EST on Flashback Alternatives
check the forums for repeats.
After 25 years since its original release in 1983, the wait for the reissue of Danseparc is over! Stockhausen collides with punk funk in an aural collage of rhythm and found sound as one of the most sought after MatM recordings is reissued on the 25th anniversary of its 1983 debut on vinyl. The second of three albums co-produced with Daniel Lanois with a guest appearance from John Oswald of Plunderphonics fame on alto sax. Includes Obedience, World Without Borders, Walking Into Walls, Danseparc, Sins Of Children, Several Styles Of Blonde Girls Dancing, Boys In The Bushes, What People Do For Fun and Whatever Happened To Radio Valve Road?
3 additional bonus tracks include the original extended dance version of Danseparc, These Dangerous Machines and a live version of Sins Of Children from MatM's performance at Ontario Place in 1983 featuring avant-guitarist Michael Brook. The 16 page booklet includes lyrics, never seen before photos and video stills.