Bowery Electric

Bowery Electric emerged on the Kranky label in the mid-1990s. Alongside bands like Jessamine and Labradford, Bowery Electric's early sound gelled with Kranky's droning aesthetic. Working in the confines of organic music, the band laid down a heavy drum beat, topped by waves of feedback and monotone, blissed-out vocals. Not until the release of Beat in 1996 did the band begin to develop fully. Utilizing a love of electronic music and hip-hop beats, the band crafted their most elaborate complex music. Swirling, hypnotic beats under an equally dizzying array of samples, sequences and the most beautiful guitar noise heard since Kevin Shields last plugged in his Fender Jazzmaster. A series of remix EPs and one remix LP followed which further established the band's increasing taste for experimentation. The band released a stunning single entitled "Blow Up" in '97 which managed to combine dreamy, Satie-inspired piano with low-key Drum 'N' Bass. The band intend to release their fourth full length later this year entitled Lushlife which, if the title track and the newer "Freedom Fighter" single are any indication, should continue the band's head-spinning trajectory.