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The angular, bass-heavy post-punk of A Certain Ratio could conceivably be compared to that of their Factory labelmates Joy Division (singer Simon Topping is a dead ringer vocally for Joy Division's Ian Curtis). One key difference is that A Certain Ratio has a more pronounced funk influence, which makes their music more danceable. Another difference is that Topping's lyrics, more abstract and even humorous (albeit in a dark, quirky way) are less dramatic than Curtis'. The Graveyard and the Ballroom, compiled from a collection of early four-track recordings and a set of live tracks, shows off A Certain Ratio's strengths well. The sound is surprisingly good for such lo-fi recordings, and the band is, for all of their musical amateurishness, rather precise and controlled. Unfortunately, that highlights a key flaw of the album: Too often, it is accomplished enough to be intriguing, but never all that gripping. By emphasizing rhythm over melody, A Certain Ratio makes music that is interesting and danceable, but not hugely compelling. It's mechanically well-played, with quirky, interesting lyrics that never really seem to add up to anything more than an attention-grabbing sound. Nonetheless, those seeking an idiosyncratic, interesting art-funk band can do no wrong with this release, even if it ultimately falls short of any meaning beyond quirky experimentalism.
© Victor W. Valdivia /TiVo
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MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixer - Martin Moscrop, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixer - Donald Johnson, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixer - Mute Song, MusicPublisher - Jeremy Kerr, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixer - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Pete Terrell, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Mixer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 2018 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
MARTIN HANNETT, Producer - Simon Topping, Composer - Martin Moscrop, Composer - Donald Johnson, Composer - Jeremy Kerr, Composer - Mute Song Ltd, MusicPublisher - A Certain Ratio, Artist, MainArtist - Jeff Hooper, Mixer - Stuart Pickering, Mixer - Pete Terrell, Composer
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
Album review
The angular, bass-heavy post-punk of A Certain Ratio could conceivably be compared to that of their Factory labelmates Joy Division (singer Simon Topping is a dead ringer vocally for Joy Division's Ian Curtis). One key difference is that A Certain Ratio has a more pronounced funk influence, which makes their music more danceable. Another difference is that Topping's lyrics, more abstract and even humorous (albeit in a dark, quirky way) are less dramatic than Curtis'. The Graveyard and the Ballroom, compiled from a collection of early four-track recordings and a set of live tracks, shows off A Certain Ratio's strengths well. The sound is surprisingly good for such lo-fi recordings, and the band is, for all of their musical amateurishness, rather precise and controlled. Unfortunately, that highlights a key flaw of the album: Too often, it is accomplished enough to be intriguing, but never all that gripping. By emphasizing rhythm over melody, A Certain Ratio makes music that is interesting and danceable, but not hugely compelling. It's mechanically well-played, with quirky, interesting lyrics that never really seem to add up to anything more than an attention-grabbing sound. Nonetheless, those seeking an idiosyncratic, interesting art-funk band can do no wrong with this release, even if it ultimately falls short of any meaning beyond quirky experimentalism.
© Victor W. Valdivia /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:45:38
- Main artists: A Certain Ratio
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Mute
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2017 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited. 1980 A Certain Ratio under exclusive license to Mute Artists Limited.
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