Rheged
X Why Z?
The sound of dripping water is joined by a deep stuttering rhythm. A chugging beat is added to it and we hurtle down the tracks at full speed. Another sequence / rhythm is then tossed in. This is certainly of the 90s but not destined for the dance floor. All then is slowed down and a melodic motif gives some gentleness to an otherwise aggressive track. Wooshes of sound (similar to Yello’s ‘The ‘Race’) give the impression of passing other vehicles at tremendous speed. We then move to strange territories, as if we are in a traffic jam listening to the windscreen wipers and rain hammering on the roof. This certainly is a very odd section.

Distorted vocal samples take us on to the next phase, tranquil but no less strange. A metallic rhythm starts up joined by a shuffling drum loop. This section caresses the senses instead of being the power trip of earlier. ‘Saints or Sinners’ begins with vocal samples but I can’t make out what they are saying. We move on to a melodic section, then a guitar blast which I just know is sampled from a famous rock riff but frustratingly I can’t place it. A dance rhythm is brought in. Subtle samples and synth pads flesh out the detail but it is the beat that holds the attention. Moving on to the next mood we get a very laid back section devoid of rhythm entirely. Our journey continues and another drum loop picks up the pace again and takes us to the end. ‘Techno(c)rat’ is an extremely weird number, techno horror? Everything is looped, samples, rhythms etc and goes to make a rather disturbing piece of music complete with demonic laughs.

‘XwhyZ?’ on the other hand is a jaunty almost happy track with a strong bass line and optimistic beat though it does get rather relentless. At the halfway mark all is change and we get into a groove with pleasant guitar melody accompaniment. Rheged are unique. If you liked the first album you should like this. If you haven’t heard any Rheged before but like inventive mainly non dance 90s rhythmic music give it a try. Easy listening it certainly isn’t. (DL)

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