Mark Stewart - 1985 - As The Veneer Of Democracy Starts To Fade

Mark Stewart

1985

As The Veneer Of Democracy Starts To Fade

01. Passivecation Program 7:06

02. Bastards 5:26

03. The Resistance Of The Cell 5:21

04. Call to Mecca 0:44

05. As The Veneer Of Democracy Starts To Fade 5:37

06. Pay It All Back 4:29

07. Hypnotised 5:51

08. Slave Of Love 4:46

09. The Waiting Room 4:18

Includes

10. Hypnotised 7:25

11. Dreamers 6:30

Mark Stewart – vocals, production

Keith LeBlanc – drums

Skip McDonald – guitar

Adrian Sherwood – keyboards, production

Doug Wimbish – bass

Track 4 (named "Call To Mecca" on digital releases) is not listed on the release; therefore, tracks 5 through 11 are numbered on the sleeve as 4 through 10.

Bonus tracks 10 and 11 from 12 MUTE 37

Mark Stewart – Hypnotized

A1. Hypnotized (Remix)

B1. As The Veneer Of Democracy Starts To Fade

B2. Dreamers

For this album, Mark Stewart and producer Adrian Sherwood assembled the definitive Maffia lineup with the imported talents of drummer Keith LeBlanc, bassist Doug Wimbish, and guitarist Skip McDonald -- best known at that point for their work with the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash. Opening with a robotic voice informing listeners they are about to be programmed to take their place in society, this is no rapper's delight but another glimpse into Stewart's shadowy world of political and sonic dissidence. LeBlanc, McDonald, and Wimbish contribute to a fearsome collision of industrial noise, abrasive electronics, and heavyweight funk that serves as a soundtrack to Stewart's lyrical obsessions: surveillance, the military-industrial complex, oppression, and economic inequity. Thanks to the hefty rhythm section, this album has a more overpowering, assaultive feel than its predecessor, as numbers like the ominous title track and "Passivecation Program" are built on punishing beats and mammoth basslines that batter the listener into submission. On top of that solid foundation, Stewart pastes together an unsettling collage of found sounds ranging from the call of a muezzin and media voices to barking dogs and simply barking mad noise. The air of confrontation is intensified as Stewart harasses listeners with distorted spoken and half-sung pronouncements and warnings. On the chaotic, disjointed "Bastards" -- harrowing enough with Stewart repeatedly shouting the title -- the menacing, sampled rasp of William Burroughs (who also appears fleetingly amid the manic hip-hop beats of "Pay It All Back") makes the proceedings all the more sinister. The album's standout is the dub-inflected "Hypnotised," which is infused with scratches, ocean-trawling bass, and shimmering melodic fragments. Uncompromising, challenging, and yet totally compelling, this album stands alongside Learning to Cope with Cowardice as one of Stewart's most innovative and important projects.

Those who lamented the passing of The Pop Group in 1980 (myself included) really had no reason to feel so low because their leading light, singer Mark Stewart after a stint with The New Age Steppers would go on to form his own group Mafia, who would go on to equal and sometimes surpass the best of The Pop Group's recordings. Sadly though outside of a few dedicated Stewart freaks his incredible work with Mafia has gone unheard, this is a crying shame because Stewart is one of the true giants of contemporary music. Stewart along with Adrian Sherwood have virtually re-invented Dub music, and both of these men are as important to 80's Dub and beyond as King Tubby was to 70's Dub.

I would recommend any recording with Mark Stewart's name on it but "As The Veneer of Democracy Starts To Fade" is a 5 star classic. Side one opens with an eerie android vocal that shifts into the mighty "Passcivecation Program" this track is absolutely mind shattering! there are sounds on this song that I can't even begin to describe but early in the song are some pummeling riffs played on instruments that I can't identify. Keith LeBlanc's drumming is pulverizing while Doug Wimbish lays down wicked bass grooves, Skip McDonald provides guitar muscle and tasteful keyboard flashes that sound like Augustus Pablo, Stewart as is his custom sings like Damo Suzuki with a hellhound on his trail. One must not forget Adrian Sherwood who ties this sound together like the true genius he is.

The second song ( if you can call it a song ) is called "Bastards" this is really a nightmare future shock soundscape that features wicked beats sound effects and Stewart screaming "bastards" in the background, this is music for the last day of earth. The final track on side one is incredible it's called "The Resistance Of The Cell" and it begins with one of the filthiest bass riffs ever committed to wax, kind of like The Clash's "This Is Radio Clash" but with balls, at times it sounds like there is fluff on the needle and the sound blurs into white noise ( I'm sure My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields has listened to this record once or twice ) yet "Resistance Of The Cell" is a very catchy tune that brings to mind an early Killing Joke 45 called "Change". Side one actually closes with an unlisted track that's only a minute or so long it sounds like background noise from a street somewhere in Egypt.

Side two begins with the title track that fades in and out with a song called "Hypnotized" which is an extended piece of experimental Dub with traces of a melody, this is perhaps the most commercial piece on the record. Next is "Slave To Love" a Pop Group type number that burns with intensity it features a mind-numbing bassline by Wimbish, this one could have been lifted as a single. The Mafia save the best for last as the record closes with one of Stewart's best ever songs "The Waiting Room" which is a haunting number with superb icy keyboards Gregorian chant vocals ala The Yardbirds "Still I'm Sad", Stewart keeps singing "too young to be so cynical" all through this moving piece, If I remember correctly USA group Fugazi did a cover of "The Waiting Room". Sometimes I think I'm the only person in the world who digs Mark Stewart and The Mafia but I'm sure there are others I just haven't met any other fans yet, so that's why I'm screaming about them here, hoping other folks will check them out.

"As The Veneer Of Democracy Starts To Fade" is one of the greatest records ever made and stands proudly next to The Pop Group's "Y" as one of the most innovative records of the last 25 years. Hear it as soon as you can, you'll never be the same.