Mojo (Publisher) - p.1184 stars out of 5
-- "As a convergence of political and musical radicalism, this record's still out on its own."
Personnel: Dan Sheals (drums).
Recording information: 1981-1983.
Though Mark Stewart's first solo foray after leaving the Pop Group has an edgy, experimental feel, it's about as tentative as a wrecking ball. A headlong leap into the darker recesses of dub, the album is driven by Stewart's paranoid, Lee Perry-style delivery and Adrian Sherwood's manic production, which distorts and twists the sound and rhythm into a monolithic mix of edgy post-punk and twisted early-1980s U.K. reggae. A similar blend of existential despair, political anger, and inspired creativity to P.I.L's METAL BOX, LEARNING TO COPE WITH COWARDICE constantly teeters on the brink of chaos, but never loses its grip.