Track of the Day: GusGus, 'Polyesterday' (1997, 4AD Records, from the LP Polydistortion)

Busting straight outta Reykjavik in the mid-1990s with a 9-piece ensemble of filmmakers, actors, DJs, programmers, and producers, it's no wonder that GusGus differentiated itself from other trip-hop/house acts of the era. Though they've released 8 studio albums and remain active, the Icelandic group has made many lineup changes and stylistic tweaks since, including LP's with extended, long-form techno-house tracks, as well those dominated by alternative dance cuts with more traditional (aka rock/pop) song structures.

Their 1997 debut album, Polydistortion, released on the 4AD label, remains my favorite, though I do still enjoy song from their 2nd and 3rd albums, 'This is Normal,' and 'Attention.' I must confess I haven't been a huge fan of their discography since 2002's 'Attention.' For me, I have just found it all to be less original, less rhythmically and lyrically compelling, despite some pounding beats and grooves.

Polydistortion stands the test of time as a fully-developed, cohesive work, and one of the finer debuts of the 90s. It put a slightly different twist on what was becoming a pattern of copycat, interchangeably-sounding trip-hop/electronica/house albums of the day, by bringing together pop/rock/alternative songwriting sensibilities with some bitchin' synths and programming, and throwing in a few healthy pinches of industrial. The album perfects the balance of Nordic moodiness and distant chill in the instrumentals with expressive and dreamy lyrics and vocals.

The quirkiness of the performers is no more apparent than on the attached video, which is a live extended jam of my favorite track on the LP, 'Polyesterday,' recorded in Europe shortly after the release of the album in 1997. The electronically programmed grooves are balanced with jazz flair and hip-hop beats, and the ambience is enhanced by a neon-green filtered lighting that envelopes the stage. The onstage vibe is filled by icy gazes, expressionless, robotic dancing, and some trance-like, neo-hippie moves as well. It made me feel like I'd just warped into a Sprockets video from the late 1980s!

I've also included the original LP version below, as that's the my fave among the versions of the song that are available on Amazon, iTunes, etc.

Polyesterday (LP Version)



'I Am the Paper 
Above the Skyscraper
They Tried to Rape Her
She Couldn't Reach Higher

Polyesterday
Found Another Way
Polly Said Today
She'd Find Another Way, Tomorrow

In Public, Public
They Said She Was Sick
In Buick, Buick
Driving Naked for an Hour, Stark Naked

Polyesterday
Found Another Way
Polyesterday
To Get it One Way, Or The Other

Polyesterday
Found Another Way
Polysaturday
She'd Find Another Way, Tomorrow...'