Mark US Vinyl & CDs

Review: For the uninitiated, Robin Crutchfield was one of the key early figures in New York's infamous "no wave" music scene, first as part of influential band DNA and then as the leader of his own outfit, Dark Day. This essential three-CD set tells the story of the hard-to-pigeonhole outfit's original incarnation between 1979 and 1989, offering a chronological trip through the pitch-black corners of the unique combo's slim but perfectly formed catalogue. The Dark Day sound was undoubtedly unique, with Gary Numan-ish synth sounds and arty, stylised vocals being underpinned by heavy, loose-limbed rhythms provided by two drummers. The accompanying booklet tells the story of the band in decent detail, too, making it as much an introduction as a celebration.