:CD Review: Captive Six – Receding Credit Line

Captive Six – Receding Credit Line
Released:  December 1, 2010
Label:  Crunch Pod
Website: facebook.com/captivesix

Review by: Jack Knowles

In a contrast to the aggressive Powernoise of his main project C/A/T, Ben Arp has released the third EP of his delightfully House brainchild Captive Six. Dubbed Receding Credit Line, this sample-focused electro release is a playful record set to put anyone in a good mood.

The opening track ‘Piggy Went to Market’ is driven by an active bassline, broken up by 8-bit samples. It sets the tone of the EP well, and is an adequate introduction to the record. ‘Piggy Went to Market’ is laid back for the most part, and good for when you don’t know what else you want listen to.  But there is a dark audio recording at the end, where a man appears to be confessing to someone that they are “A beast at night,” and has “to be crazy to survive.” It sets the listener on edge, and subliminally dictates how you listen to the rest of the EP.

Track two “Consume Purchase Buy” is another sample driven track of random musings about the music industry. It even opens with “Every time I’m disappointed with the current state of the music industry, I’m going drink some Jagermeister,” replied by “What are you gonna do? Why don’t you just buy an IV and put it in your fuckin’ arm.” A wobbly bassline reminiscent of Dubstep dominates the track, which works well, but doesn’t vary much throughout. Receding Credit Line doesn’t take itself seriously, though. You could even call it a satirical record. “What you do is make the same song over and over again, and people love that shit. Like AC/DC,” comments Ben.

“Seeing a Dwarf Staring at You and Deciding to Follow It” is a track as serious as its name, with no clear message. Just thumping bass, heavier than the previous two tracks and the same beat with such audio recordings as “Magic holy earplugs from the sacred candles.” It’s a decent track, which you can definitely dance to, but too repetitive for my liking.

The EP’s title track “Receding Credit Line” is when the EP kicks it up a notch. For the first time in the record, we hear some vocal work that isn’t sampling, deliciously processed into a heavily robotic sound. The beat is heavily distorted, slightly more dubstep than “Consume Purchase Buy” and take on a harsh sound, accurately characterising the state of the economy.

Receding Credit Line’s closing track, “Thanks, Buying This EP Funded My tk421 Upgrade,” is a very robotic, fast paced track which parodies salesmen and how they persuade you. The sample “This is hi-fidelity. Hi-fi. You know what that means? This is the highest quality… Fidelity you can get”, made me chuckle about how the salesperson clearly has no clue what he’s talking about. However, the long sample repeats itself a couple times, making it stale to listen to after a couple times.

Regardless, if you want some laid-back, well produced House that doesn’t take itself seriously Receding Credit Line should be the EP of the moment for you.

Download Receding Credit Line from Amazon MP3
Download Receding Credit Line from iTunes