Manny 911

I hardly ever play computer games, I'm not really best placed to judge this sort of thing, but why spoil a facile review intro? This is from way back in October 05.

Chinese Fingertrap - Grim Fandango

Drifting into Extreme Geek Mode for a moment, Grim Fandango is on of the wittiest computer games ever, right up there with Elite and Zelda:Ocarina Of Time. It concerns Manny Calavera and his noirish trawls through the dark underbelly of the Land of the Dead, discovering layer upon layer of dark intrigue. It's a strained link, I'll admit, but this Grim Fandango isn't dissimilar, as a few listens throws up more than is normally apparent in the staid realm of melodic metal.

In addition to the straight-up sing vs growl clusters that are "Time Gentlemen Please" and "Paint By Numbers", we find a more yearning tone in "If You Knew What Was Good For You" that recalls Day Of Grace and even a cavernouisly abstract hip hop sound on the brief title track (imagine the heavier corners of the Macro Dub Infection compilations or the silty bottom of a Cypress Hill tune). By keeping the tracks - and the cueing times between them - brief, Chinese Fingertrap manage to make the record varied and surprising, without losing any of the punch.

"Shake Your Moneymaker" might have resulted in numerous fines if CFT were James Brown's backing band, but what it lacks in funk action it gains in pure wallop. Only "Everyone's Going To The Party Baby!" fails to ignite, a stumpy teenage plod leaving an unpleasant Kid Rock aftertaste. It may not be the most original music released in Oxford this year, but Grim Fandango is well thought out, well recorded, well performed and should be played well loud,