Description
#barkpsychosis #vinyl #vinylrecords
One of the most overlooked and influential albums of the 1990s is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ‘Scum,’ originally released in 1992, is a hidden gem that has now been remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell and frontman Graham Sutton. This official edition also includes the bonus track ‘Mucs,’ which features the reversed version of ‘Scum.’
A true historic masterpiece, ‘Scum’ showcases a unique blend of seething and beautiful music. Its 21:21 running time is filled with intricate and patient compositions that continue to reveal new layers of detail even thirty years later. The album was famously recorded in the vault beneath St. John’s Church in East London, capturing not only the spontaneous and improvised recording session but also the acoustics and echoes of the building and its surroundings. The result is a mesmerizing experience that incorporates ambient noise, traffic sounds, and even a pentecostal meeting happening in the back room of the same building. The song gradually unfolds over its runtime, starting with the pure sounds captured by the ambient mics left in the church, then introducing subtle elements like guitar, melodica, bassline, percussion, samples, clarinet-like tones, found sounds, and electronics. All these elements beautifully intertwine with Sutton’s dissociated vocals, creating an otherworldly sonic journey.
Simon Reynolds famously coined the term “post-rock” to describe the band’s debut album ‘Hex,’ but ‘Scum’ predates that release and stands on its own as a different artistic endeavor. Instead of conforming to traditional rock elements, the album embraces an “anti-rock” mindset, meticulously capturing the bleakness of the Thatcher-to-Major era. The sounds on ‘Scum’ defy categorization, sounding both alien and unique. The music transitions from brutal to shimmering, from quiet to loud, all the while staying true to Sutton’s devotion to the recording process and his fascination with Miles Davis. The result is a sonic tapestry that remains unmatched and unreplicated in the decades since its release.
While meticulously produced music often lacks emotional depth, ‘Scum’ is a complete contradiction. It immerses listeners in a timeless urban beauty, unearthing layers of ancient allure. In many ways, this release serves as a spiritual successor to Talk Talk’s ‘Laughing Stock,’ which shares a similarly ethereal and intoxicating quality and was released a year prior to ‘Scum.’ Despite the limited resources of a group of squatters in pre-gentrified East London, ‘Scum’ manages to be both inspiring and brilliant, combining elements of ambient, dream pop, jazz, dub, and punk rock into a cohesive work of art.
For those seeking essential listening, ‘Scum’ is a must-have record. Its profound impact, alongside the influence of artists like Talk Talk, will forever leave an indelible mark on music history.
