THE CANCER CONSPIRACY

THE CANCER CONSPIRACY
THE AUDIO MEDIUM (2002)
320 KBPS

The Audio Medium might very well confuse many into thinking they're listening to an indie rock version of Pink Floyd. The Cancer Conspiracy create songs which are elegant and exude much confidence, combining elements of jazz, prog rock, indie rock, and much more to make for some steady, upbeat music that isn't afraid to touch on its mellow side from time to time. One can totally see this three-piece on some large stage, manipulating all kinds of sounds from their guitars, keyboards, and the like in order to indulge the crowd with a unique and full sound (à la Pink Floyd). The mastery of their instruments is superb and the tightness of the album can't be overstated. The complexity of the guitar work on just a single track — "Broken Heartbeats Gathered and Rebroadcast" — is remarkable in itself. However, the primary problem exhibited on The Audio Medium is in the nature of instrumental acts themselves. It becomes very hard to draw the average, uneducated listener into the music. It's not impossible, but vocals are such a key in music that instrumental acts must work doubly hard to draw listeners into the sound. The Cancer Conspiracy are definitely a remarkable act. There is no denying that. And this is a solid album. The challenge is in trying to convince the traditional indie rock listener of the strength of this vocal-less style. The band has done their part with a solid release. It is up to the listeners to see how cult the album becomes.

1. …To Sleep
2. Broken Heartbeats Gathered And Rebroadcast
3. Our Mind’s Active Nightlife
4. Loft Complication
5. The Silence Of Underwater Traffic
6. The Audio Medium
7. Conversation With A Wall
8. Interrupted Feed
9. The Divided Heir
10. Live Through The Age Of Radio