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It's difficult second album time
for Hybrid, whose 1999 record Wide Angle
announced them as quality purveyors of wide screen
house and breakbeat, with the added bonus of a near classical
mastery of orchestration in hits Finished Symphony and
If I Survive.
In demand as remixers from the likes of
Radiohead, Moby and Future Sound Of London, they can
afford to push the budget out a bit on Morning Sci-fi. In fact we find them in a similar frame of mind, still geared towards a Pro-Logic sound, but given a new
lease of life with the addition of vocalist Adam
Taylor, whose tone on True To Form is not unlike
that of one time Mansun singer Paul Draper.
True To Form is one of two numbers featuring New Order
bassist Peter Hook, who gives this track an
edgy splendour with a riff straight out of his back
catalogue. His influence is less obvious in Higher
Than A Skyscraper, where a slow tempo and swirling
portamento strings make a powerful impact.
Kirsty Hawkshaw lends vocals to Blackout, which is
lyrically unconvincing, ending the album on an
uncertain note. Better to head for one of the quality
instrumentals such as Visible Noise, a wonderfully
atmospheric intro leading to a pounding house beat and
stabbing synths.
I'm Still Awake is another
shoe-gazing moment vocally, with Taylor emoting over a
smoky electro-soul backdrop. Marrakech, one of the
best tracks on the album, calls in Eastern influences
to add some colour.
If you've just got a new hi-fi,
this would be the sort of album to test it out with, since it
uses everything but the kitchen sink orchestrally. This has enabled Hybrid to create an album that is rich in texture, colour
and harmony but is often dark and menacing and not to be
used as a pick-me-up!
On the evidence of this there's
big things ahead for the trio, whether it be in
soundtracks or dance, with the prospect of Adam Taylor
developing into a highly talented vocalist. Ones to
watch!
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