**1/2 MDFMK
(Republic)
Fresh from the break-up of KMFDM, band members
Sascha Konietzko and Tim Skold -- along with singer Lucia Cifarelli (formerly
of Drill) but without KMFDM's En Esch -- have reconstituted themselves as
MDFMK. Reversing the original five initials suggests that MDFMK's music will
sound only slightly reshuffled from the hellish (but groovy) abrasiveness
favored by KMFDM fans, but no: in these 11 tracks, the spaciness of trance
reigns. And does so by adhering to trance's techno-based, noisily intricate
basics. Where KMFDM jams stomped with boots on, growled and spat, MDFMK's songs
glide on the surface, moving lightly, even smoothly, just as trance is expected
to do. The spite and sarcasm of KMFDM -- disturbing to those who listened
closely -- is gone too. In its place, from the fast techno of "Now" and
"Control" to the sweetish narcissism of "Be like Me" and "Transmutation" to the
woozy and violent joys of "Gasoline" and "Torpedoes," one laughs and shouts,
roars and raves like all the rest.
-- Michael Freedberg
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