Durutti Column "Without Mercy" Review

ITS BATH-TIME WITH VINI

DURUTTI COLUMN Without Mercy (factory)

FINALLY, a bit of music for a cleaner Britain, a record to bathe by. When the water in the tub is still, as the mirror gently sweats, Durutti Column will guide you through a patient lather towards relaxation. Refreshingly, there are no vocals; no squeaks except those you make as you slide across the porcelain to reach the shampoo. And as the day’s grime releases its anxious grip, the affectionate piano, the sweet oboe, and the melancholic guitar invade seized temples and relieve its conquerors with a hint of something classical.

The music accompanies and compliments the self-indulgence without stopping. This is one great big song. The melody is stated first by the piano, played by Vini Reilly, who also happens to be the composer, guitarist, DMXist and arranger. The oboe joins in, followed by guitar and then strings untii the tune eventually evolves into variations on itself. But it does so without a clear direction and without much adventure. Left to soak in what quickly becomes a familiar instrumental environment, one is forced to strain for slight wrinkles in the fabric. These wrinkles become the hook and the event.

Some of the gestures work nicely; others are inappropriate, inserted for the sake of change. As gauze-clad graces dance in the wood to an airy progression with tickling harmonics, Bruce Mitchell adds congas and percussive kicks, bringing firecrackers to the picnic. In other spots the drum machine intrudes viciously, threatening the composure with the subtlety of a Broadway showstopper.

However, Mervyn Fletcher contributes a sax flurry towards the end which stands out as a bit of welcome anarchy and the march of Tim Kellet’s trumpet works to re-capture attention. Still, ‘Without Mercy' is undeniably one good idea stretched to album length. Unfortunately, there aren’t quite enough bubbles.

Tempted again by the analogy, one might say that it runs hot and cold. It lives in a classy record sleeve, adorned with a bit of Henri Matisse. A good wash behind the ears.

Steph Paynes