Model Citizen - Bias - 1997

Model Citizen starts out racing and never stops. It's a fascinating techno-esque project, to date the only release under the name, that more-than-subtly distinguishes itself from Hor and other similar Ginn output in this arena.

Guitars dominate and do so in a repetitive, frenetic fashion that brings Dick Dale to mind. Ginn doubles as Dale Nixon on bass though the low end is buried in the mix. Indeed, Andy Batwinas's drums keep a beat without depth or heft. Ron Beck, a name I have not seen before or since, is credited with keys that color the record throughout.

There aren't exceptional highs or lows across Model Citizen but it's not boring, either. It feels more like a demo worktape of some sort, exploring variations on the same theme again and again. So - there's never ever been a time when I thought, "I have to hear 'Smitten With Extremism' right now!" as, honestly, I wouldn't be able to distinguish it from its nine peers here - but I love to put this album on and just get to work. "Evil Snippet" may be the exception, closing the album on a sinister note rendered almost comical at its hyperactive tempo with a couple noodling solos thrown in.

Certainly not a contender for Lost Gem status, Model Citizen is still a great example of Ginn weirdness in a weird, ultra-prolific era (El Bad, Killer Tweeker Bees, Mojack, Get Me High and Confront James all saw releases in '97). I cannot decide if the artwork is a 1 or a 4 on the Ginn Scale. I'll say 1 and give the guy a break - he was busy that year.