Collate – Generative Systems

Collate are back in the game with long-player number three and the first output in a while from Erika Elizabeth's Domestic Departure imprint. It's as if no time has passed at all. Collate do more of what they do best with their lively reanimation of 99 Records style, Pylon herky-jerky and a touch of no-wave austerity. It's the kinda sound easy to get wrong, but never wears thin when properly nailed down, and true enough, Collate remain onpoint as ever: bass-fwd with Fire Engines guiatrs, a drummer in the pocket, epigrammatic vocal declarations, all present  and correct. The political imperitives that inevitably underscore any album with a title like Generative Systems also serve to align them with a few notables of the late 90s underground - think Gern Blandsten/Troubleman - making it clear that such fun and games aint all fun and games, dancing as they do with rage in their eyes. Collate wanna stop the world and know how to get off.