A Place to Bury Strangers

Exploding Head

Mute

While La Roux, Little Boots, Telepathe et al spent 2009 recreating an episode of Top of the Pops circa 1982 - all 'look surprised' makeup and tinny synth sounds - New York's A Place to Bury Strangers exhumed the dark side of that decade.. The title track and album standout 'In Your Heart' are like a night at early 80s Goth haven The Batcave, writhing to The Southern Death Cult or early Cure - stalking dubby bass, eastern-tinged, flange-tastic guitar and tribal drums abound. 'It is Nothing', with its lurching, gag-reflex guitar, and the tempestuous closer 'I Live My Life in the Shadow of Your Heart' are as visceral and charged as Husker Du or early Jesus and Mary Chain. 'Ego Death', on the other hand, gets so excited it jumps 20 years ahead and channels Primal Scream's Xtrmntr.

Best Tracks: 'In Your Heart', 'It is Nothing', 'Exploding Head'

Richard Morris