Terra's Revision Playlist

We've all been there. Revision is the dullest thing since England's World Cup matches (or even – le gasp – the dullest blog in the world). In order to prevent yourself from doing something stupid to throw off the boredom, like suicide or listening to your sisters throw insults at one another for an hour or so (then suicide), you need something to counteract the sheer dullity of revision notes. That something is music.
So here are my top five albums (yes, albums – single songs are too insubstantial to have any real effect in counteracting the monotony that is my study leave life) for revision.

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I:Scintilla – Prey On You
So the album 'Dying and Falling' has been set back a few months (/eons). But if it's anything like their latest EP, then it'll be well worth the wait. 'Prey On You' marks a definite shift in the industrial band's sound to a more EBM-inspired electro-beat. They've certainly been studying their Ayrias and their Zombie Girls – Seb Konor even does a remix of the title track which has the exact same synths as Creepy Crawler, I swear. They seem more willing to give the synths a greater voice and give Brittany's vocals a rest for a while, striking a nice balance.
Stand-out tracks: Prey On You and Hollowed.


Jack Off Jill – Humid Teenage Mediocrity
We all know revision has the power to completely destroy all positivity. Well, Jessicka knows your pain and your frustration. In fact, she's the queen of teenage angst – and nowhere is this clearer than 'HTM'. This compilation of non-album tracks and blunt-edged originals is all the more hard-hitting for its lo-fi punk undertones. Nothing compliments Jessicka's Kat Bjelland-style angelic to banshee-like vocals better.
Stand-out tracks: Bruises are Back in Style, Girlscout (I couldn’t find the 'HTM' version on youtube, so this is the ‘Sexless Demons and Scars’ album version. Not as good, imo, but nevermind) and Cockroach Waltz.


Räuberhöhle – Deep in the Forest
If you're looking for something to cheer you up rather than wallow in, Räuberhöhle is probably of more interest (this is about as close to pop as I get, so be excited!). The German retroclash singer's musical blend of retroclash, 8-bit chiptronica and lo-fi 'revolution girl style' punk gives you hope that the spirit of riot grrrl is still very much alive and kicking down the glass ceilings of the underground. 'Every Day More and More Ppl Are Going Radical' even samples Bikini Kill's 'Rebel Girl' – what more can you ask for? Oh, and if puppets, sparkly-pink capes, and people dressed as bears is your thing, then you're in for a treat.
Stand-out tracks: Every Day More and More Ppl Are Going Radical and Angry Dancy.


Kidneythieves - Zerospace
There's nothing lo-fi about Kidneythieves' industrial music. When listening to 'Zerospace', you get the sense that every second of electro-beat, synth and noise has been carefully thought out, and the resulting sound is very polished and clear-cut: what I like to call 'the Collide effect'. Free's lyrics are intelligent and her vocals extremely versatile – she covers just about every vocal technique known to man over the course of this album. The result is a diverse range of tracks; something to suit every mood.
Stand-out tracks: Zerospace, Crazy and Before I'm Dead.


Stolen Babies – There Be Squabbles Ahead
Strangely, someone recommended Stolen Babies on a Kidneythieves page. Trust me: they sound nothing alike. I'm thankful for the recommendation though, because 'TBSA' is a great album – nay, an amazing album. Stolen Babies have a truly unique sound with a wide sphere of influences that largely defies genres – the closest you'll get is circus-inspired punk avant-garde metal (or something along those lines). If avant-garde metal sounds a bit daunting – the genre is known for its experimental heavy metal eccentricity – then don't fret: Stolen Babies combine the instrumental-weirdassness of bands like Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Unexpect with the more melodious sounds of a dark cabaret. Dominique is one of the most talented vocalists I have ever heard, and their music has probably the best punk/funk-inspired bass I have heard since Lunachicks' Squid Silver. Besides, anyone who makes the accordion badass deserves respect, right?
Stand-out tracks: seriously, the whole album is note-worthy, but if I had to choose, they'd be Filistata, So Close and Tablescrap.

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I hope that's brightened up your revision experience - or at least made it more interesting! And remember; the end is now in sight!