Further Vexations by The Black Dog: A 2009 Electronic Masterpiece with a Prophetic Message
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The English electronic music scene experienced a significant milestone in 2009 when the well-revered group The Black Dog dropped their masterpiece “Further Vexations”. Known for their pioneering influence on the genre since their conception in 1989, marked by founder Ken Downie and members Ed Handley and Andy Turner, the group’s innovative approach to techno has long been admired. The album marked yet another bold move for the band, who had already achieved critical acclaim with their records such as “Bytes” (1993) and “Spanners” (1995).
The vision behind “Further Vexations” was articulated by Martin Dust – a driving force of the band since the departure of Handley and Turner in 1995. Dust expressed concern over the willingness of populations to forfeit personal freedoms for a false promise of security.
“Further Vexations” was a reaction to the growing influence of CCTV, biometrics, and invasive databases. The Black Dog boldly questioned our acceptance of this wave of surveillance intended to ‘save us from ourselves’, critically asking when the breaking point will be reached. Comparisons to George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” were referenced heavily throughout the album, appearing all the more profound and prophetic a decade later when data mishandling scandals and manipulative political propaganda came into focus.
Before “Further Vexations”, The Black Dog flourished under the guidance of Downie, Handley, and Turner. Their numerous collaborations and remixes, including one with fellow British artist Björk, established them as valuable contributors to the genre. Back then, artists like Plaid – the spin-off project from Handley and Turner – and the Discordian Popes, were significant influences.
When Downie joined forces with Richard and Martin Dust in 2001, The Black Dog’s trajectory altered yet again, introducing a new era of creativity that led them to embark on acts such as the Dadavistic Orchestra project. Their discography expanded with eight EPs, four albums, and numerous collaborations with artists such as Black Sifichi, known for his Parisian beat poetry.
The impact of “Further Vexations” isn’t isolated to its prophecies of intrusive surveillance regimes and their consequent societal demerits. The following year, The Black Dog collaborated with creative agency ‘Human’, producing “Music for Real Airports” – an ambitious project intended as a more realistic, discomforting response to Brian Eno’s wistfully serene “Music for Airports”.
Reflecting on the decade that has passed since the release of “Further Vexations”, The Black Dog’s darkly cynical insights seem more prophetic than ever, signifying their ongoing importance within an ever-evolving music scene, and the pertinence of their work in the current political and social paradigm. It’s a testament to the timeless relevance of their music, from their early days sharing the electronic scene with artists like Plaid and Björk, through to their more recent ventures.
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