David Holmes

Bow Down To The Exit Sign

Go Beat

Released: Monday 12 June 2000

David Holmes has always been pretty eclectic in his musical outlook. Starting life as a Northern Irish punk, his 12-year musical journey has seen him release nosebleed techno, off-kilter breaks and dubbed-out hip-hop. Famously, he's also written the soundtrack to a major Hollywood blockbuster (1998's "Out Of Sight"). With his third studio album, he's decided to change tack again, charging off in a darker, dirtier direction. Bow Down To The Exit Sign is a soundtrack. Holmes does his best to distort and disturb, fusing fuzzy funk, low-slung blues and organ-drenched psychedelia. There are a couple of twisted punk-rock numbers featuring Jon Spencer (of Blues Explosion) and Bobby Gillespie (of Primal Scream), and a soundtrack piece written with Bond composer David Arnold. If that wasn't enough to set the pulse racing, Tricky's former vocal foil, Martina sings a couple of tracks and beat poet Carl Hancock Rux adds harrowing narration to Holmes's intense hallucinogenic vision. Bow Down To The Exit Sign may be dark and disturbed, but it's also one of the most compelling albums in recent years.--Matt Anniss

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