We took it almost personally at [sic], bitterly disappointed, punched in the guts, Stroszek had split. “A band to believe in”, we said around the release of their Manufacturing Consent EP. Then they were gone.

[sic] Magazine backed the wrong horse? My arse we did. [sic] will always champion the best music, always and only the best, whether it is coming from the band in the next village or from Arcade Fire. And Stroszek had it, had something special. It’s a crying shame.

Tear Down The Lies mainstay, Les Willox played guitar in Stroszek and laid down the synth programming. He does the same in his new guise. I love the retro feel of opening piece ‘Stylophone and guitar’. Willox, like myself, clearly enjoys that early 80’s sound. It was a time when many bands eschewed a ‘proper’ drummer in favour of a drum machine or backing tape. Cocteau Twins spring immediately to mind or even the thoroughly more obscure, yet equally wonderful Pink Industry (anyone?). Well done Mr Willox. ‘Semi-transparent’ continues in the same vein.

‘Disco noise’, as its name suggests, nods further towards the dance floor yet still in an odd, beguiling, indie fashion. I’m thinking Anne Clarke, Trisomie 21, Propaganda etc, and probably doing you all a disservice by plumbing the depths of my ultra-obscure record collection. Sorry, but I’m not sorry. Those bands were weird yet seminal. Tear Down The Lies still have work to do if they/he is to join those ranks. Let’s not forget that this is their first output and a taster at that. As a Stroszek fan, the overriding initial reaction is to bemoan the loss of Richey. It would be all too easy to view Tear Down The Lies as half-formed or half-baked version of the former band. It’s understandable. It’s human but it’s a waste of energy. Stroszek have gone. At least we have Tear Down The Lies. I wish them well.

_{EP available as free download via the link below}

Free Download

Tear Down The Lies

Stroszek

Manufacturing Consent EP review