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Death From Above 1979: Black History Month

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by Mike Diver
DFA1979's quite astounding (really) album You're A Woman, I'm A Machine has been available for what seems like forever, so it's a little odd to hear 'Black History Month' wheeled out as a single so late into a campaign that's already achieved so much. The sludgy, buzzsaw bass and bloodcurdling vocal histrionics are familiar now, rendering the song somewhat redundant as a stand-alone proposition; indeed, DFA1979's material is generally digested better in multiple doses, so any single has to be fuckin' killer. This... this is not, in the grand scheme of previous releases anyway.

Fret not though, 45 fans - this critical tome has a twist in its tail. The trend of bands du jour covering the work of contemporary peers (see: The Cribs / Kaiser Chiefs interface) has spread to Canada, and the b-side of this otherwise not-really-worth-it single carries a stripped-back take on Bloc Party's 'Luno'. In true DFA1979 fashion, though, however minimalist the reinterpretation, the song still rocks some. Just about worth the two hundred pennies or so.

  • Death From Above 1979 6 / 10

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

Ha, I just started reviewing this for a trial-piece last night!

Re: Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

A 'trial piece'?
You off to court?

Re: Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

Yeah. I'm being done for poor posting and reviewing. This is meant to be my "exhibit 1". You bastard Mike I'm going to jail now!

I suppose I could find another tuun. Just won't be the same though.

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

Pretty much spot on - the cover's the only reason I bought it

Shame it's not on the 7" though, only the CD

Re: Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

It is on 7", I just got it. It's b-side is the superb Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix. I would've downloaded the song but I got the 7" just for that remix.

Re: Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

I meant the 'Luno' cover specifically...

Might well pick up the 7" too then if that b-side's good

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

they have good remixers do dfa (pun intended). the breakdown in blood on our hands (justice mix) is of particular note. as is erol alkans mix

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

i bought it for the cover.
it is gash.
for some reason theyre castrated the bass sound, leaving the song totally impotent. and the vocals a bit "will this do?".
which is a shame.




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