Description
The Neon Judgement – The Insult – Vinyl Record
Play It Again Records 33
The Neon Judgement’s The Insult, released in 1990 by Play It Again Sam Records, marks a significant evolution in the Belgian duo’s sound, blending their established electronic body music (EBM) style with more pronounced guitar elements and diverse instrumentation. Formed in 1981 by Dirk Da Davo (keyboards/vocals) and TB Frank (guitar/vocals), The Neon Judgement were pioneers in the EBM genre, alongside contemporaries like Front 242.
The Insult showcases the band’s exploration beyond their electronic roots, incorporating guitars, harmonica, and acoustic elements to create a more organic sound. The album was recorded and mixed between February and March 1990 at ICP Studios in Brussels, with Michel Dierickx serving as the engineer.
The tracklist includes:
‘The Insult’ – 3:48
‘Alaska Highway’ – 3:54
‘Here She Comes’ – 3:24
‘I and I (Get a Hold …)’ – 3:56
‘Build a House’ – 3:57
‘All the Colours’ – 3:52
‘Never Change’ – 3:59
‘The Right to Reject’ – 4:29
‘Pink Coat’ – 3:35
‘Out of Heaven’ – 3:56
The album opens with the title track, ‘The Insult,’ featuring a blend of sequenced rhythms, sampling, and guitars, setting the tone for the record’s fusion of electronic and acoustic elements. ‘Alaska Highway’ continues this exploration, while ‘I and I (Get a Hold …)’ incorporates backing vocals from Sally Nydo and additional instrumentation, including bass by Ronny Mosuse and drums by Jean-Paul Mosuse.
The Insult is noted for its departure from The Neon Judgement’s earlier, more electronic-focused work, embracing a fuller, more diverse sound palette. This evolution reflects the band’s willingness to experiment and adapt, contributing to their lasting influence in the electronic and alternative music scenes.
The Insult remains a testament to The Neon Judgement’s innovative spirit, blending electronic and acoustic elements to create a sound that continues to resonate with listeners.
