Troubleman Unlimited
2004
Don't Stop
About This Album
One of the smarter bands blending rock and dance, Tussle understands that suggesting something is often more powerful than just stating it. Their second EP, Don't Stop, mixes disco, dub and rock, among other elements, but it seems that the more influences they blend into their music, the more their music ends up sounding like Tussle. For a group that incorporates two drummers, a bassist/melodica player, and a keyboardist, their sound is surprisingly minimal, suggesting an even sleeker, more groove-oriented version of Out Hud or !!!. The EP's title track is a perfect example of Tussle doing more with less; its undulating bassline, shifting percussion, and barest hints of melody create a cool, cavernous sound that makes its five-and-a-half minute length feel like two minutes. "Windmill" applies the same basic formula, but is more upbeat and overtly disco-influenced, throwing in a weirdly cheery vocal sample and trippy breakdowns for good measure; this sense of playfulness runs through all of Don't Stop, but never crosses the line into quirkiness. "Eye Contact," which appeared on Tussle's first EP, appears here in a more abstract version, emphasizing its unsettling percussive touches, which include clanking metal and cascading bongos.
Track List (try tracks 1,2 and 3)

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