Xiu Xiu: Knife Play
5rc label 2002
http://www.xiuxiu.org
Xiu Xiu is the answer for all of those lost souls who went to bed with The Strokes or The Hives and regret what they woke up with. The San Jose, Ca. ensemble produces haunting journeys that drift between discordant longing and quiet introspection, with singer Jamie Stewart's plaintive moaning serving as the frosting on a very bitter, but nevertheless delicious cake. Xiu Xiu's songs on their debut project, Knife Play are each dissections of the darker side of the human psyche, recounting car crashes, spoiled birthdays, and failed relationships. Each of the albums tracks are a complex juxtaposition of Stewart's vocals and the diverse instrumentation put forth by the rest of the band. Xiu Xiu's sonic arsenal of choice includes a harmonium, guitars, synths, tape-loops, an amazing percussive section made up of pots and pans, and even vibrating metal objects held within a Bunsen flask. The thrashing, disjunctive percussion and silky rhythms intertwine, shaking you by the shoulders as they caress your cheek. The mixture of different sounds and textures produced by Xiu Xiu make for a beautiful experience- one that is unforgettable when witnessed live. Knife Play is an album that would make the Goth you dated in high school faint with pleasure, and the Rock Star you're dating now, cringe with jealousy.
-John Southern