Dot Dot Dash Dash

The Mothmen - One Black Dot

I mentioned the second Mothmen album back at Christmas during the On-U post of their debut, so here it is. Don't expect the same dubby experimentation as the first, this is much tidier and more organised, if anything dangerously close to commercial. One Black Dot is a an art-pop/rock album very much aimed at a bigger market than their first - I can draw comparisons to Talking Heads and bits of Wire. The cracking single Temptation is heavy heavy Italian-style synthdisco (and it works), Wadada was also a single but much too arty for the mainstream. I quite like the last track, Thank You I Like It, which begins in a bluesy groove but finishes up with some nice wavey synth and loads of effects. 

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Do It Records (RIDE 9) in 1982 to high reolution 24-bit flac audio.

A1 Wadada
A2 Temptation
A3 One More Weapon
A4 Lets Talk About It
A5 No Rest
B1 One Black Dot
B2 Weekend
B3 House And Car
B4 Home Sweet Home
B5 Thank You I Like It

Attracted To Light

The Mothmen - Pay Attention!

I am sure, but open to be corrected, that this was the only On-U Sound release not to feature Adrian Sherwood in any shape or form. The original four piece Mothmen formed from the ashes of the original Durutti Column, who contributed two dub-punk tracks to the A Factory Sample double 7" single pack. The delicate Vini Reilly struggled by on his own (with a little help from Martin Hannett) whereas the remainder became Mothmen. The line-up comprised Tony Bowers, Dave Rowbotham, Chris Joyce and Bob Harding - most of whom were were also involved in C.P. Lee's infamous Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias.

This record defies classification or comparison, and most certainly is unlike anything else on On-U Sound. History isn't clear on how The Mothmen ended up as one of the first releases on Sherwood's label but the Manchester District Music Archive has links to a flyer for the Ardri, and a reggae night in March 1980 featuring Prince Far I, Creation Rebel and Medium Medium (!) where the moths also featured. 

The historical significance of the album and its rarity value are both greater than the sum of what is contained on both sides. To define it, take a twist of pub-rock and layer it on top of post-punk with dub beats and experimental riffs. Pere Ubu meet The Pop Group and Metal Box-era PIL head on, with a good measure of Be Bop Deluxe thrown in for good measure. The twenty minute plus Mothman which covers the entire side two with heavy repetitive rhythms and droning guitars makes me think of Faust or This Heat covering A Certain Ratio's Winter Hill.

There was a line-up change for the second Mothman album which represented a dramatic dive into the mainstream. I will get around to ripping that soon enough.

Ripped from a vinyl album released on On-U Sound Records (ON-U LP02) in 1981 to high resolution 24 bit flac audio. A down-sampled 16 bit version is also available.

A1 Afghan Farmer Driving Cattle
A2 Animal Animaux
A3 Not Moving
A4 Factory / Teapoint / Factory
A5 Please Let Go
A6 Tardis (Sweep Is Dead, Long Live Sweep)
B   Mothman