The Phantom Tollbooth
 
21
Artist: Hyperdust
Label: Indie
Length: 4 tracks/
 
Emanating from the same Bristol studios (Redland) as Psalmistry, Hyperdust tries to add a stronger rock element to their music than the strictly dance-oriented sounds of their studio-mates. The end result is a mixture of abrasive guitar sounds, drum loops, spacey synthesiser, and Felix McCabe's smooth vocals. Tenuous links could be drawn to the latest As If... release as the closest thing to this EP in the Christian music marketplace, but perhaps a more synth-based look at U2's Pop would be a more apt comparison.

This particular release is unfortunately short, with the two lead tracks, "21" and "Wild Heaven," joined with two remixes of the same tracks. The guitar is more evident on "Wild Heaven" than the title track; James Bragg certainly has managed to fit his instrument in well with Fran Finn's bass and James Birch's drums. The programming is perhaps a little predictable if appropriate.
 
The length of this recording will mean that it is probably not going to be a great investment for our US-based readership, and that Hyperdust are not quite given the opportunity to demonstrate how much breadth there is to their sound. For those interested in such things this might be one to investigate.
 
By James Stewart  (2/01/99)