The Body - I’ve Seen All I Need To See

Thrill Jockey

This is my intro to The Body's work. It's safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed it although it's not what you would call an enjoyable listen. It's quite the opposite in fact.

Produced to perfection 'I've Seen All I Need To See' strikes the precise balance between grime and clarity in each and every facet. Usually when an artist tries to make a work of formidable depth it can get muddled and lost in its own sense of scope. This record leaves everything out in the most pristine of manners.

I'm amazed at how something can sound so sick and tired. There isnt an ounce of hope or happiness within this album. I think it's fair to say that these clouds do not have silver linings but what they do have is a malevolence packed within their overbearing abundance.

It's the subtle details that add the most to the music. For instance on the opening track the effect of the music glitching out and stopping momentarily adds an unease and an unknowing. It sets the project up to be a jarring and unforgiving experience. It leaves the listener on edge not really knowing if it's their gear packing in or not. The vocals are another detail which add immense power. They sound as if they're trapped inside of the material begging to be set free. The indecipherable screams are nothing short of harrowing.

The music bubbles from deep within itself. Buried under mounds of dirt and dust the material sounds like it's choking on its own existence. It sounds as if it detests itself, can't stand its own company. Texturally it's as impenetrable as it is impressive and The Body have delivered a work of utterly crushing quality. It's depressingly resonant.

Favorite Track: Tied Up and Locked In