THE ALOOF

THE ALOOF
SEEKING PLEASURE (1998)
320 KBPS

The Aloof's third album saw them sink still deeper into despondency, as titles such as "Lies", "Wasting Away" and "Alone" attest. Singer Ricky Barrow is less to the fore in an album punctuated by subdued instrumentals like "Morning Spangle". When he does appear, as on "What I Miss The Most", the album exceeds even "One Night Stand" in its epic melancholia. Seeking Pleasure shifts stylistically to some hitherto unoccupied terrain between The Cure and DJ Shadow, a sort of high techno-goth underscored with huge bass riffs, frantic drums and dark cloudbanks of synth. The album title and songs like "I Find Fun" depict hedonism as a desperate pastime, filling a void. Such despair was uncommon in 1990s dance music.

1. Morning Spangle
2. What I Miss The Most
3. Going Home
4. I Find Fun
5. N89
6. All I Want Is You
7. Lies
8. Wasting Away
9. Personality
10. Alone