Thirty years too late, yet right on time: 1983 Demo Cassette demonstrates yet again what the smartguys out there already know — Australians play punk with a plug-ugly edge, not to mention abandon, that transcends most other nations. Division Four foster an approach from which comparisons to PIL are inevitably going to arise. That being said, the thick synth lines and shaggy dedication to rhythm throw the formula into arrears it can’t repay, and it leads to a lot of strangely rewarding moments. Picture this: A buzz of effects and synth are laid directly overtop a lead vocal that was meant to be heard. Then machine-gun keys erupt in the background briefly then never return, as if these guys were just sitting around jumping from distraction to distraction. Very quirky, and occasionally so spot-on you’ll swear you’ve heard it before somehow, somewhere. But you haven’t. At the very least, seek out “Blank Prostitutes” and hear half of the Atoms Of Peace synth lines 30 years in advance. Too late, yet right on time, bitch.
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