The Pop Group
She's Beyond Good And Evil

LA RECENSIONE

In 1979, already under the radarscope label, this legendary Bristol group, a highly politicized band, would release this maxi single containing one of their best tracks "She's Beyond Good And Evil". The track, not included in the original version of "Y," was previously released in this format, making it nothing less than a splendid calling card for the two incredibly magnificent subsequent works.

The cover features on the back a sketch of a desperate mother holding her presumably dead child. From the back of this cover, we already understand how strong and desperate the music of this great band is, unique in the New Wave and in the history of music. The front, as you can see in the photo, is a somewhat incomprehensible sketch but very impactful.

"She's Beyond Good And Evil" is a simple track compared to the future tracks of the band's albums, yet it is splendid and unique. The song immediately kicks off with the screeching Rickenbacker leading into the bass, another prominent element of the band, giving this special funky touch to the piece right from the start. Their Funky is a sick, distorted Funky, something only a few can understand; it is certainly not music for everyone!!! To listen to the Pop Group, you have to bring out your sick side and be conquered by Mark Stewart's sick voice; it is thanks to this crazy voice that the piece takes on such a dark air from its funky sounds, creating a tension that will dissolve with difficulty, leaving you with a magical and indelible memory in your mind. From the initial noise, you will be immersed in a splendid new sensation, a kind of unhealthy pleasure that you will carry with you to the rhythm of the psychopathic drums. When the piece seems to dissolve with a slower rhythm, the feedback destroys your ears, the singer's off-key notes drive you crazy... you can't get enough!!! Here at the end is the chorus obsessively repeating the song's title, concluding everything in a mysterious total void.

The second side is peculiar as it contains "3:38", a track not included unlike "She's Beyond Good And Evil" even in the CD reissue of "Y". It is an instrumental orgasm of sounds, noises, bass and drum funky rhythms, a combination of guitar effects. The track is a great piece, but I am sure it wouldn't fit well on the album "Y," which is why it is perfectly suited for the B-side of this single. The title is peculiar, reflecting the song's duration and the rarity of the track itself. Perhaps it is contained in the collection We Are Time (a piece of "Y"). The value of the single hovers around 40 euros, so anyone finding it at a reasonable price would do well to buy it as it is the "piece" that completes the band's entire discography. I highly recommend reading the review of "For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder," which is personally splendid!!!