From the Riverfront Times (St. Louis, Missouri), February 1992
On Course
by Thomas Crone
Other than Consolidated, Skinny Puppy, and a handful of other highly rhetorical
acts, you won't find too many bands with the social and political edge of
Dallas' latest export, Course of Empire.
Though the group won't be waving any flags in its upcoming show at Cicero's, a
strong sense of mission is evident in all 11 songs on the band's self-titled
debut, now re-released on Zoo Records.
Consider that they recorded the album's last track, the moody "Dawn of the
Great Eastern Sun," at "sunrise, in the Ouachita Mountains, Broken Bow,
Oklahoma, Earth Day 1990." Consider that when auditioning singers they
advertised for someone "with an interest in vegetarianism and ideas concerning
mass consciousness." Consider, too, such song titles as "Coming of the
Century," "Peace Child," and "Sins of the Fathers," all with reflective and
poetic lyrics of the highest caliber.
Even a cursory first listen makes clear that all the comparisons thrown at
the group's sound make sense on some level. Everyone from U2 to the Clash to
Bauhaus are cited in the group's bio and clippings, and within a couple of
songs you'll hear slash-and-burn guitars reminiscent of Ministry or Nine Inch
Nails, vocals from the school of Peter Murphy, and some powerful and complex
drumming that recalls the rhythmic motions of Monkeyspank.
In fact, that percussive element is what sets the band apart. If you believe
press reports, Course of Empire built its sizeable Texas following primarily
by shifting the set boundaries of act and audience, with the band circulating
drums and percussion throughout the clubs they play - creating, in effect, a
roomful of Freddie Frictions.
Needless to say, if you go, be prepared to band out some rhythms. And
beforehand, check out one of the most compelling new releases to come along
in a while.
Course of Empire makes its St. Louis debut at Cicero's on Feb. 25 with fellow
Texans Funland opening.
(
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/club/Club) (
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/club) (
geocities.com/sunsetstrip)