London After Midnight

Psycho Magnet (Metropolis)
by Rowan-Morrison

London After Midnight used to be the punchline of a joke, the body of which asked, “What L.A. Goth band is more about hairspray than composition?” However, these androgynous Aqua-&-fish-netted boys have matured into adept composers. On Psycho Magnet, techno and gloom elements have been sewn together to create a dark and danceable fabric for the Nosferatu underground. Part of their appeal stems from the few cuts that incorporate Middle Eastern influenced keyboard loops, such as “Kiss” and “Psycho Magnet.” Of course, the thing that really shoves them toward the spooky side of the graveyard is Sean Brennan’s emotive crooning. Rather than following the example of Cleopatra’s Goth pack (Rosetta Stone, Wake, etc.) and emulating the Sisters of Mercy and The Mission, London After Midnight is closer to a blend of Tones on Tail, Mephisto Waltz, and early Christian Death. Although this is a hit and miss offering, the good tracks are a lot better than the dirges being built by their contemporaries.
(PO Box 54307 Philadelphia, PA 19105)