Album Details

• Artist: The Black Heart Procession
• Album: Bloody Bunny/black Rabbit
• Label: Temporary Residence
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2010-12-01

"Bloody Bunny/Black Rabbit" at first glance seems a place-holder, featuring as it does only three songs and five remixes. But half-measures, for better or worse, are not the MO of The Black Heart Procession. This record is not one of their best, but it may be one of their more eccentric, and is certainly one that plays with their signature epic, emotional sound.

"Black Page" is a hypnotic, one chord meditation with echoes of Roxy Music, and which offers a nice, chorus-lead release at the end. It is followed by "The Orchid," which is a short, mournful piano ballad that again features minimal lyrics and chanting for a finale. The other new tune, "Devotion," is the best, a sleazy, Stones-y psych tune about obsession and the boredom therein.

Of the remixes, the most anticipated is "Freeze," because it features dub legend Lee Perry at the controls. With its bizarre effects, semi-industrial groove and occasional lyrics about cats and rats, it is more a cosmic oddity that a revelation. Clearly, Scratch was having fun, though. The best of the remixes are the two versions of "Drugs." Eluvium's version is a desolate, ambient instrumental piece, whereas Jamuel Saxon keeps the lyrics and turns it into downbeat dance track. Both versions serve the original well, and stand as inspired work on their own.

"Bloody Bunny/Black Rabbit" may raise a few eyebrows among longtime Black Heart Procession fans but, more importantly, may be an idea entryway for newbies who have come late to a very big, daring party.

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