Tone Casualties is a division of Klasky Csupo, the wonderful animation company that brings you Rugrats. But make no mistake about it, Industruim is not child's play. It is an accomplished, mature, and varied experiment in shaping sounds into structures. At times it is more appreciative of natural noises (dare I say like Einsturzende Neubauten) than most "industrial" music, but is primarily "drenched in ancient musical traditions." As part of the process, Karen Han (previous known for her work with Ryuichi Sakamoto) was recorded playing her 2 string violin known as Erhu. The tapes were then remixed and reinterpreted by hi-tech studio gurus. The result is a pleasant, yet engaging and cohesive mix of atmospheric ethnic culture on acid. I think I might even be able to trick my parents into liking this one. - rodent

Karen Han, a classically trained Chinese musician and vocalist, has been reconstructed by nine other artiests, in over 19 tracks, to create noise constructed with perfect pop sensibilities. Han plays the erhu, which has 2 strings and is similar to the violin. Her work has appeared in "The Last Emperor" and "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence!" Her recordings were sent out with the explicit directions, "do anything with it." the results are seriously phenomenal.

The "Deforma" remix by Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO), contains classical elements tweaked by techno with boppy ping noises over the erhu which Mark describes as,"... an early industrial transmission. Like the voice of a beautiful, sad, mechanical bird, echoing through Edison's contraption." Many of the other tracks could be described as such. "Long Time Iguana, Yay! A Bong!" is playful pop layered over beautiful and melodic noise with Han singing in Chinese and random noises, like running water, in the background. Einsturzende Neubauten teamed up with Pizzicato Five!!?! Drew Neuwmann is responsible for reprocessing "Long Time..." Karen Han's singing is sometimes nothing more than giggles and short spoken word segments; she perhaps has a British equivalent in Lisa Gerard. The erhu sounds like an insect running its wings against sheet metal. "Empire" by Shinjuku Thief is minimal noise that has a classical structure giving the track a light and pretty quality, goth without accessories. "Orgazmo," Wrecked havoc upon by D.S. Eccles, has harsh crashes of noise guitar which create beautiful dissonance with Han's voice. "Nevi-Nevi" by Face has Han's voice distorted and sounding like a four year old with super noisy static and an a cappella ending. Opus Crobag's "Metal Pussy brilliance with extra rattling sounds and an E.N. feel.

The nineteenth track, entitled "Surprise Bonus Track" is industrial dance, electronic tango with Han's repeating vocal sample, "I don't know your last name.. ha ha ha." It resembles "Long Time...," however instead of being a two-minute tease, it's four minutes of bliss! It's remarkably unique while remaining entirely listenable and catchy.

(H. Twinkie)--PERMISSION

"Demonstrate some very unusual couplings of sampled
ethnic sounds and artificial noises Most of Han's work is already haunting, so the
electronic atmospherics tend to reinforce that mood, but there are unexpected
sound motifs that make this very compelling listening"

SHUFFLEYPLAY
By Richard Proplesch

Wow, this is really an intersting CD. Not as much a "Various Artists" as it is a remix album of Chinese violinist, Karen Han, by people as notable as Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo. The music is a wonderful and artistically masterful album mixing traditional Chinese music with brash synthesis and sampling more prevalent in modern western music. With as much integrity as one would require in an album, Industruim... is interesting, dynamic and well-done. Similar to Shinjuku Thief's work (who are present on this in the form of one of the remixes), except instead of medieval doom and gloom, it's eastern mysticism and drama. An exquisite and amazing collection. As usual, quality material from a label that specializes in incredible and artistic music.

- anon_devi INTERFACE

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