Trickster
Kidneythieves · 1998
43 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A mesmerizing blend of industrial and alternative rock, marked by haunting vocals and intricate electronic textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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S+M (A Love Song) — This track stands out with its provocative themes and catchy chorus, showcasing the band's ability to blend dark humor with melodic hooks.
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Trickster — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring haunting vocals layered over atmospheric instrumentation that draws listeners into its narrative depth.
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Feathers — With its ethereal soundscape and introspective lyrics, Feathers exemplifies the band's signature style, balancing beauty with an underlying tension.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends industrial and alternative rock effectively, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of heavy electronic textures layered with distorted guitars, creating a dense soundscape.
- Vocals alternate between haunting melodies and aggressive delivery, particularly evident in tracks like 'S+M (A Love Song)' and 'Trickster'.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, such as the transition from the subdued 'Feathers' to the more frenetic 'Creature'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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S+M (A Love Song)
The moment shifts from playful banter to a stark revelation of vulnerability within the relationship.
This transition showcases the complexity of love and desire while subverting conventional romantic tropes, highlighting the band's lyrical depth.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Taxicab Messiah 4:18
- 2 S+M (A Love Song) 3:33
- 3 Swanmate 1:05
- 4 Feathers 3:41
- 5 Trickster 4:35
- 6 Creature 4:30
- 7 K 4:05
- 8 Pretty 5:22
- 9 Layers 3:50
- 10 Pleasant 3:35
- 11 Mustard Seed 5:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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