Monday 13 August 2012

Mike Tyler: 'Erection' Album Review

Summary: An album that fails to rise to the occasion.
Listen To: -
Avoid: Every song!
Get It: If you must, here.



When somebody names their début album Erection, you'd be forgiven for assuming that it will be something monumental that stands tall. Sadly, Mike Tyler's Erection doesn't measure up.

The album as a whole is a forgettable mess with few redeeming qualities. As Tyler subjects us to 11 throwaway tracks of dull instrumentation and lacklustre lyrics delivered with a painfully grating drawl,  it becomes apparent that little care went into this flop of an album.

It's not that we expect Tyler to care. After all, his whole career has made it seem like he cares more for image than for the quality of his work. His hunger for controversy, danger and excitement has even led to him being dubbed "the Iggy Pop of poetry". Sadly, this album lacks the quality of Iggy...as well as the danger and excitement that Tyler has previously prided himself on.

And that is what makes this album so disappointing. Next to none of the attitude and high-octane energy he injects into his poetic performances is present here. The majority of the album consists of the breezy patter of mid-tempo tracks (Stuttering Song II and Nearer And Nearer) and the remaining song (Conversational Spanish) is so notoriously slow that, combined with the monotonous drone of Tyler, it is unbearable to listen to.

If you are looking for an album that will leave you feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied, then this definitely fits the bill. But if you are after anything other than that, then steer well clear of this.

Let's hope that if Tyler dares to make another album it is capable of rising to the occasion.


1/10