From the subdued Bob James’ Nautilus-esque tinkering of the record’s opener, ‘It’s Good but it’s not Right’ – perhaps an apt musical description for the uninitiated – to the static cacophony found in ‘Under a Glass Table’ at the close of the album; Party Feel simply sounds like a group of seriously accomplished musicians having fun with skills, sound and like all good prog/math rock; song structure and time signature.
Describing this album track by track would be akin to mapping out and making sense of the movements of a paranoid schizophrenic, inclined to impulsively pace his padded cell.
Quite simply, if not an impossible task, it’d be a boring one – as this is where Party Feel’s charm lies.
Before listening to the record I was informed by the press release that I will not only surrender to this record, but I will submit to it, and I will shake my whole, entire body.
I can tell you, whoever wrote this is probably right.
Party Feel is joyously spastic; you’ll have rip-roaring convulsions, fruitful nosebleeds and ultimately, a good time.
Although meticulously constructed, intellectual at heart, and certainly not digestible for those with a weak musical constitution; the sheer brute physicality of the grooves and performances of Party Feel allow it an organic, almost primitive feel.
This is well thought out music that you shouldn’t think about – and this is why this record works.
Words: Chris McCrory
Rave Child 