How in the non-existent hell am I going to categorize the ’special’ sound that Jon ‘J.S.’ Clayden and his fellow pitchshifters have yet again unleashed upon the masses in their 2000 release “Deviant”? Lesa Pence got it right when he said: “Perhaps the stores should just create a section called ‘Pitchshifter’ and make their lives easier.”

A Dictionary.com definition for ‘deviant’ stated the following: “Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.” I’ll agree with the following: IT SURE DIFFERS FROM THE NORM. Their raving electronic style, mixed with funky beats and great sampling effects as well as programmed guitar sounds, create something so utterly unique that I have problems actually describing this distinct album. This stuff thrashes my ears, gets my heart surging, the ‘adrenaline pumping’ to use a somewhat trite phraselet. The lyrics are usually ‘brutal’ and very direct and more often than not: humorous.

I will not agree with the second part of the definition however. Everyone with an IQ above the value of room temperature should accept this album as a great piece of work by a fascinating bunch of musicians. The mere fact that Pitchshifter use many different sounds and styles to compose each song, leads to a more universal appreciation of this album. Indeed. I shall have to label their opener “Condescension” as my favourite track because it immediately hits you in the face, guaranteed to capture the attention of even the most television-retarded, neuro-deadened American teenager. “As Seen On TV” should also be noted, if only for the brilliant lyrical value, and “Keep It Clean” on the same grounds as “Condescension”. Plus, it’s just catchy.

All in all, this is a remarkable part industrial drum’n'bass, part industrial metal release. It made me cream my pants in twenty seconds flat. It’s just that good. Also: how could one not fall in love with a cover featuring half of the pope’s face fused with half of the queen mother’s face? Brilliant.

Year Released: 2000
Label: MCA Records
Related Link: Pitchshifter Official Website
Date Reviewed: 2004-01-16
Author: C. Michael