Within the first few minutes of listening you may feel compelled to adjust your eq levels but don't be too hasty because the noise you first encounter, surprisingly similar to feedback, isn't merely an introductory shocker, it forms the backbone of every single one of 2nd Gen's ten album tracks.
Like an over excited child let loose on his fathers sampling machine, Manchester born Wajid Yaseen, gets immense pleasure from contorting sounds to create anything other than that which our tender ears are accustomed to. He loves his newfound toy even if he doesn't know how to work it properly.
Discovering that Yaseen was a once member of a Swedish thrash punk band comes as no surprise neither does the fact that he was former bass player with Fundamental. Musical anarchy is the objective here. This is headstrong and determined stuff.
His pr company stress that he has "moulded an album of startling originality", which could indeed be true, there is little to compare, except maybe references to the darkest moments of Tricky and vocals in tune with a Mark E Smith production ("Slowburn"). But is this due to the fact that he stinks of genius or is it simply that this music has been side-stepped by previous adventurers because they think it's unsuitable for human aural consumption.
This is something you must decide for yourself.
So, "Irony is", dirty, down-tempo beats and experimental noise distortions. "Irony is" the intensity of a beautiful trip turning into an inescapable nightmare. "Irony is" a jovial party tuning into stunned silence. This is the musical version of the ranting poet who somehow manages to captivate his audience even though they haven't got a fucking clue what he's on about.
Highlights come with the harmonica touches in "Black Spring", the murky electro fringes of "Vurt" and the head nodding breaks of the new single "and/or".
But pick your moment. Listened to at an inappropriate time or in the wrong frame of mind and this album could instantly be shelved, never to see the light of day again. The lesson here is; don't put this on at the next family gathering, or play it down the local disco, or even spin it with the hope of having a boogie. This is strictly for private listening only. "Go on then every one bugger off".
