As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade

by Mark Stewart

As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: November 1985
  • Label: Mute
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 57:37
  • Community rating: 3.67/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

In collaboration with legendary dub producer Adrian Sherwood and the backing band the Maffia, the former Pop Group frontman delivered a violently abrasive solo masterpiece. 'As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade' utilizes punishing tape loops, early sampling technology, and booming hip-hop rhythms to create a harsh, dystopian soundscape. Stewart's vitriolic, highly political vocal delivery perfectly anchors the record's groundbreaking fusion of industrial noise and dub.

Genres

Descriptors: noisy, rhythmic, avant-garde, political, industrial, bassy, experimental, distorted

Tracklist

  1. Passcivecation Program (7:06)
  2. Bastards (5:26)
  3. The Resistance of the Cell (5:21)
  4. Call to Mecca (0:44)
  5. As the Veneer of Democracy Starts to Fade (5:37)
  6. Pay It All Back (4:29)
  7. Hypnotised (5:51)
  8. Slave of Love (4:46)
  9. The Waiting Room (4:18)
  10. Hypnotised Remix (7:25)
  11. Dreamers (6:30)

Credits

  • Mark Stewart - primary artist, written-by
  • Adrian Sherwood - performer [maffiamembers]
  • Doug Wimbish - performer [maffiamembers]
  • Keith LeBlanc - performer [maffiamembers]
  • Skip McDonald - performer [maffiamembers]

More from Mark Stewart: full discography