ALBUM: The Mothmen 'Pay Attention!'

Rating:

The Mothmen were an interlude band for a number of artists in the early 1980s who are a mystery to many of us, and yet their album ‘Pay Attention!’ has been remastered and is to be rereleased by On-U Sound nearly three decades after it was first released. This long lost post-punk masterpiece is as inspiringly experimental as it is downright odd, and is more artistic than it is musical.

Much of the album is dominated by the lack of lyrics with a focus on ambient and atmospheric tracks. Each track builds an imaginative scene with the aid of synth, sound effects and quirky approaches to basic instruments. On the A side, ‘Animal Animaux’ uses wind and brass instruments to mimic animal sounds with complex percussion reminiscent of cowbells and machinery. In ‘Factory/Teapoint/Factory’ we hear a literal musical rendition of the title, firstly we hear percussion and effects mimicking working factory then a break for muffled conversations before returning to the factory sounds. This continues on the B side, with tracks ‘Mothman’ and ‘Return Of The Mozabites’ featuring tribal-esque drums and exotic sounds to build a sultry tropical scene in the midst of the album. Whilst these interludes are musically impressive, that are hardly enjoyable to listen to. Such tracks are to be appreciated for the creative brilliance, not for their unkindness on the ears.

When vocals do feature they are morose and downbeat in true post-punk fashion, overlaid on complex repetitive rhythms and innovative structures, best heard on tracks ‘Please Let Go’ and ‘Does It Matter Irene’. Whilst much of the album is inventive, there are a few songs that have definite mainstream influences flowing through them. Song ‘Not Moving’ has some 60s pop hints in the vocals and lyrics, despite the clashing rhythms and sporadic jumps, while tracks ‘Please Let Go’ and ‘Vegetable Man’ have more groovy touches and rocky guitars reflecting the mainstream of the time.

There is no set structure or ideal for this album, instruments and sounds are used without constraint to build upon the creative vision that The Mothmen were trying to create. It’s odd, unique and something to be studied rather than left on in the background. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that this album has a place in post-punk British history.