Tuesday, May 15, 2007

COÏTUS INT. - Self-titled (LP, 1982)

At first glance, I recognized Coïtus Int. as a kind of ordinary, copy and paste postpunk band with nothing new or special to offer. But after further, more focused listens, I discovered that there was a greater level of artistic integrity in effect here than first realized. Like Joy Division, the base of Coitus Int.’s music is sparsely structured - featuring bass as the lead melodic instrument, jagged guitar and baritone vocals. But, it is the band’s special attention to song ornamentation that saves them from being written off as yet another JD clone, instead morphing the unit into something that approaches a stripped down, dirge-obsessed version of Bauhaus, sans the glam antics and glossy finish.

Released in 1982, Coïtus Int.’s self-titled LP is dark, depressive postpunk perfection. It’s soooo good in fact that the more I listen to it the more I want to hear it! From the low, opening rumble of the hardcore in slow-motion “Birds” to the dreary spaced-out feedback of closing track “Tourist Ghetto”, there’s just so much to savor. It’s one of those albums that’s best explored alone and without interruption as the music and voice carry the listener through the emotions of alienation and self-preservation. The vocalist takes a deep bellowing approach to his lyrics, which are never sung, but instead lazily uttered in slur - a style that matches the instrumentation well and helps to maintain the raw, depressive atmosphere. The song structures are solid and varied, with lots of playful guitar leads that bounce in and out, often building up to a nice, climatic end. Think Southern Death Cult, Joy Division, Bauhaus and you’re on the right track. The band even managed to put together an instrumental dance track… one that actually doesn’t sound like it’s missing its lyrics! And I really can’t emphasize that enough because I usually need lyrics, or at least a chorus, to keep my interest. But not here, no ma’m… I just want to dance! So do yourself a favor and check this album out… I promise you won’t be disappointed.

COÏTUS INT. - Self-titled (LP, 1982)

  1. Birds
  2. To Avoid The Pressure
  3. The Threat
  4. Shrill Screams
  5. My Ideal Man
  6. At The Edge Of Triumph
  7. The Connection Is Obvious
  8. Cat-like Movements
  9. Tourist Ghetto

DOT #12


21 comments:

noinim said...

such a great band... and no comments yet...?!? *scrunched face*

Curious Guy said...

Yeah, great band! No comments...what a shame.

Highlander said...

Apologies for the lateness of the comment but only just got round to listening to this (theres definitely a problem with the blogs/time ratio). This is GOOD and many thanks for sharing it - *scratching head* Don't know how I've missed it before now...

noinim said...

*giggles* you two are busy enough making all those wonderful posts! really, i don't know how you find the time. i have a pretty hefty list of bands i hope to get to, but free time is ever evasive.

Anonymous said...

Yup,

the same story here,so much to do in so little,forgot to thank you for this excellent post,do you have anything else of them?
Thanks in advance and keep e'm comming.

noinim said...

yeah, i also have the punkier "dead excitement" seven-inch which was their first release.

now i need to go look at your blog.

Anonymous said...

"dead excitement" would be nice sometime. thanks.

sandy said...

This is a superb band, thanks for posting this!

noinim said...

;)

Anonymous said...

Only one word : thanks !

Anonymous said...

Too late ! Sendpost has deleted your file :o(

Anonymous said...

Hey you made my day ! Some good writing... I was the singer in that band, we did two more LP's.
best, Jos

Chip said...

any chance of a re-up?

noinim said...

the singer of Coitus Int... right here, commenting on my blog... wowzers! thanks for the mind-altering tunes Jos!

so due to multiple requests, i'm re-upping this puppy... right... this... moment. THERE! for those once left neglected, take a moment to feel my audio caress...

EOHall said...

amazing. thanks! keep posting new stuff! your blog is right up there with phoenix hairpins or fritz de spinne's

Three Repute said...

perfect for baking.

slaveborn said...

so...how about these other 2 lp's out there Jos? what are they called? can we get them loaded up here?

AdamB said...

Indeed, that's unsually good rarity. Recently I discovered (thanks for bloggers) some new-old good bands. This one and Abecedrians are premier ones.

As to some underground stuff, I recommend for you people also Where's Lisse, Memoires d'Automne and Isolation Ward. There's some similarities beetwen them.

Regards
Adam

Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

Dutch said...

The 2 other albums are ;

Sex For The Wealthy (1987)
Rules For Making Love & Babies (1991)

Their song 'Car' appeared on a compilation 7" released on the Kelt Recordslabel from Utrecht (1993)

And there's a split cassette from 1982 with Local Negatives with 5 songs (sometimes called) A Beter Te Laat Dan Nooit Productie' bc it's got no title. This one comes closest to this debut album from the same year.

ampnoise said...

Posted my copy of this Coitus Int. LP on eBay, auction ending tomorrow along with many more early post-punk/DIY LP's:

ampnoise records post-punk vinyl on eBay