For the uninitiated, the enthrallingly-monikered CAMP ACTOR are two geezers called Justin James and Marlowe. Simply 'Marlowe': as classy and definite as you like. Somehow it's fitting for a duo who are creating something deliciously warped-out, confident and fantastic from what only really starts out as simplistically as 'electronic pop.'
This writer missed out on the Actor's first
single "Ultrafashion"/ "Antifashion" from 18 months back, but no matter: "Semi-Detached Soul" is a startling introduction by anyone's standards. Predominantly instrumental until about the five minute mark, it's a delirious, melody-haemorrhaging ride that cocks a snook at many (Kraftwerk's motorik precision? - mmm; Sparks circa "No.1 In Heaven" ?- could be; Bowie's Berlin period? - possibly just a smidgen), but shrugs most references off after a short while. Curiously, the track it's befuzzed insistence reminds this hack of most is Joy Division's "Incubation", though that's probably more in terms of presence. Whatever, the way it just builds and then builds some more is both hypnotic and majestic. At seven minutes it's almost too short as well.
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Its' two B-sides continue on to send scintillating semaphore signals. "Tears" is a robust, sequencer-thrusting iron fist of an electro-punker with New Order-ish counterpoint melody pummelling that stops horribly abruptly, while the closing "Basildon" appears to be a cunning homage to four Essex lads who changed the synth-pop world commercially and critically (give you a clue: their surnames include Gahan and Gore) and actually sounds like it could fit on ver Mode's first album "Speak & Spell". Whatever, it's nicely observed, transcends mere pastiche and suggests Camp Actor are a pair of right rum buggers. Always a good thing, that.
Album due shortly. Let's hope it can fulfill the mighty, tantalising promise paraded here.
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