Co-credited to
the Void Pacific Choir -- a name derived from a
D.H. Lawrence quote -- These Systems Are Failing is only slightly more collaborative than
Moby's solitary ambient work, and its effect is the opposite of that. Fully energized and tightly concentrated, the producer's first studio album in three years is a concise and infrequently relenting set of nine songs that rail against those who have caused emotional and planetary harm.
Moby revisits his punk and post-punk roots with a needling attack. Battering programmed drums, searing synthesizers, and torrents of rhythm guitar serve as prodding backdrops for his belting, often multi-tracked vocals. (The actual choir, a seven-member group including
Moby, appears on two songs.) All the chanted choruses and seething verses over riotous rhythms evoke an apocalyptic glam-punk protest of sorts, with
Moby indignant about "Selling off heaven for a perfect hell," dejectedly reciting "Burn a courtyard, say it's done/Throwing knives at a dying sun," and referencing other ills in bleak terms. A couple shafts of light break through. The one that lasts longest is somewhere in "A Simple Love," which projects a little hope before the despair resumes. In an accompanying essay,
Moby says he views the album's title as a phrase that prompts thought. Any deep thinking will likely have to occur once these brickbats are muted. ~ Andy Kellman