Album Review

Dam Mantle – Purple Arrow

• 13th Sep 2010

Some people truly shine when left to their own devices. I suppose you can’t really use the word ‘shine’ though when describing Glasgow based producer Tom Marshall otherwise better known as Dam Mantle. Marshall is a man who would rather be left on his own. He’s been rather modest and coy in some interviews and he has described his music as a whole ‘new beast’ compared to his previous bands. Allow me to reiterate more on the word ‘shine.’ As an irony on the word, Marshall’s creative talent is shown through music that reflects his love of late nights.
‘Theatre’ for example is verges on the line of dub step, hip hop and a bit of 8 bit. It’s lo fi sound reflects that of a gritty urban night scene whereas the echoes conjure up the feeling of being alone in a large environment. If ‘Theatre’ is the hectic part of the night ‘Broken Slumber’ which feels as if you’re trapped underwater and ‘Purple Arrow’ which is like an unholy chant through it’s scary backing vocals are the come downs the morning after. Both are sombre and atmospheric.
Marshall reproduces his own feelings he’s described before perfectly. The lo fi sound mixed with the unnaturalness brings up the feeling of isolation. Some might find that this isolation leads to insanity however. Similar or the same samples or used through each track and a little bit more variety might have been good but who said electronic music always has to be varied?

7/10