Cyrus (Random Trio) - "From the Shadows"

Cyrus (Random Trio) - Rasta From (Tectonic 2007)

Cyrus (Random Trio) - From the Shadows / Tectonic

Or, Patrick Picks Up the Ball and Throws it, But He's Not Very Athletic Anymore, So it Doesn't Go Very Far

While Michael may be out and about prancing around with Tortoise pictures and a healthy amount of real-world work to sort out, here in cyberspace where there are no consequences but an email slap-of-the-wrist and I have an actual future in getting paid for music writing, the reviews go on as the planets swivel: Cyclical in-jokes, boring intros, obvious set-ups. Just like Pluto, natch.

Actually, Pluto has very little to do with Cyrus (Random Trio) come to think of it. Everything about this fuller From the Shadows is massive. I mean, big sounds, big bass, deep woofing, heavy brain-twists in the beats, a dubstepper's delight, on and on it goes. There's no end to the big ups that you can give the three guys behind this album, and proof is in the Dubstepforum, where praise goes on for page after page. It's clear that well before the June 4th release date there was some mammoth excitement brewing and not just for the plates that they were putting out. Now out long enough for plenty of people to appreciate but still not receiving the accolades or the attention it deserves on this side of the Atlantic (that I've seen), From the Shadows is a dash of dubstep for the ages.

Memories of the Future and Burial set the benchmark late last year, but by the time we'd gotten it here in the States it was old news. From the Shadows is another excellent step forward for dubstep, or maybe it's hyperdub these days, do they even know anymore... Given that the biggest achievement up to this point for the Croyden-bred Cyrus and his partner in crime Omni (both of whom are from Random Trio) was background soundtracking in "Children of Men," this is a well-deserved glimpse at what's going on in the London underground coming to the surface. A dangerously underrated talent? I'd put money on it given that he's grown up in the scene that's basically become a hotbed of dubstep talent. There's no better spot than ground zero.

The proof is in the pudding that these dozen tracks deliver straight to your spoon-fed mouth. When we talk about deep bass carnage with dubstep, we're talking about "Gutter" here. It doesn't get any subatomic than the gutters, and Cyrus is working some sick Mala kickdrum to prove the point. Bassline junkies, rejoice: It gets better with minimalist mind-bender "Paradise Dub." Arguably the best example of this reggae from the future is "Rasta From." Omen, the third member of Random Trio, DJs as the darkest side of dubstep emerges from the shadows. "Indian Stomp" a little later revisits the Indian influence with a futuristic Bollywood sound. Nah, it's not quite like that. But it is sparse, airy and excellent.

Three additional tracks on this CD will be of interest to those who only purchased Tectonic's "plates:" "Bounty," "Calm Before the Storm" and the aforementioned "Indian Stomp" didn't make it to vinyl, but their quality is right up there with the rest of this album. In fact, this release is so extraordinarily tight and consistent that it can only be something to look for come December. Maybe you'll forget about Cyrus, Omni and Omen when it comes time to make your lists and go on and on, but believe me, your speakers won't. From the Shadows is pure audio wreckage.