Vernon-based electronic rock band Landing on the Sun’s second recording, Paralysis Particle, is heavy on the artistic edge of electro music, evoking sound track sounds of noir films of the early ’80s.
The new addition of vocalist, Quinn Vienneau, brings an art school aesthetic to the group’s vibe. Her vocal posture is reminiscent of a Nico-esque Velvet Underground feel of detachment. It’s beguiling and when it syncs with Landing on the Sun’s electronic thrum on tracks like Monstrous, it recalls Emily Haines’ work with Metric.
It is an edgy sound, one that suggests a Blade Runner sci-fi context. Shall we say futuristic even if the future is here? That’s all right, though. With the synth and bass-driven punch and the restless guitar work, there are spooky sounds aplenty.
Eric Hutton (bass, keyboards, drums) and Billy Haner (guitar) get down with the flip side of ’80s guitar/keyboard textures that recall groups like Bauhaus. They experiment freely and take that spirit and hone it into tracks that pulsate darkly (Hold Me on Fire, It’s Like I Told You).
Paralysis Particle is a dark record and one that suggests a time travel to the underground chic nightclubs of the early ‘80s or an alternative soundtrack to the David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve movie, The Hunger.
The record has some heavily committed vibe.
–Dean Gordon-Smith is a Vernon-based musician who reviews the latest music releases in his column, Street Sounds, every Friday.