Drowning Craze are a unique group because, while they sport an unmistakably British sound, they managed to work with not one but two American singers in their incredibly short time together. Additionally, the band’s revolving lineup boasts a pretty impressive list of post-punk personnel: founding member and bassist Simon Raymonde of course went on to great success as a key member of Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil before starting the Bella Union label (whom we have to thank for this reissue), original vocalist Angela Jaeger (from New York) later joined Pigbag, and Frank Nardiello (from Chicago) played in Special Affect with a pre-Ministry Al Jourgenson, and later started My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. Nardiello’s vocals hint at a strict diet of PiL records, and punk-funk luminaries A Certain Ratio were a pretty obvious influence on the band’s rhythm section. There’s a certain swirling / brooding darkness on “Trance” and “I Love The Fjords” that just screams “1981” (the band had been opening up for Bauhaus and The Birthday Party, go figure). The two strongest tunes are their last: “Heat” and “Replay,” taken from what would be their final 7-inch, released before internal frictions forced the band to drift apart. If they’d kept at it, they surely would have ended up signed to Factory (assuming they could surmount Tony Wilson’s disinclination for London bands), but we’ll gladly accept the bulk of Cocteau Twins’ golden years as a consolation prize. Limited edition white colored vinyl with printed jacket, inner sleeve and clear PVC outer bag; includes a 16 page booklet with essays by Raymonde and Jaeger, transcribed journal entries from the band’s recording sessions, photos, flyers and magazine clippings. Includes code for download of all six tracks plus bonus Peel Session tracks not included on the wax. Recommended.

• white colored vinyl
• includes 16 page booklet
• printed inner sleeve
• PVC outer sleeve
• digital download included
• limited edition
• music label: Bella Union 2018

reviewed by Peppermint Pig 06/2018