Sisters Of Transistors 'At The Ferranti Institute' (This Is Music) Released 09/11/09

The concept behind this album does not really instil anything close to enthusiasm. A project to replicate the work of Lillian Meyers using only vintage transistor organs, so far so very self indulgent. The person leading the project though offers a glimmer of positive possibilities. Graham Massey from 808 State worked with this electronic organ quartet and you feel his influence throughout, as songs loop and descend all over the place.  The Sisters themselves are somewhat of a mystery, meeting weekly in the South Manchester Museum of Keyboard Technology (SMMOKT). The goings on can only be speculated upon but playing vintage transistor organs and singing in a rather creepy fashion form a large part of it. 

The opening salvo of ‘Tiger Ghee’ sets the tone, a bizarre spiralling song almost lurching into Jive Bunny territory but manages to stay the right side of cheesy. ‘Volkswagen’ continues in the same vein amping it up slightly and lead single ‘The Don’ is definitely the standout track, you really feel Massey’s acid house past all over it and even the chorus sounds direct from a mid-90’s rave.

At the Ferranti Institute will not be for all tastes, the organ sounds can come across quite dated and the some of the music can sound ridiculous, ‘Dies Irae’ in particular would not sound out of place in a church disco, the creepy Latin refrain is skin crawlingly bizarre. ‘The Bells Of Moscow’ is direct from a trippy Blake’s 7 interlude, a very queasy interlude. At points it does beg the question just how far can you go with an electronic organ quartet? The transistor organ has such a specific sound and it wouldn’t appear to be the most versatile of instruments particularly with four playing over each other.

This is certainly a peculiar album but beyond the limitations of the set up, for the most part it is enjoyable. ‘Sisterhead’ could pass for a decent Hot Chip song and ‘Solar Disco’ pushes the concept as much as it can without getting the glow sticks out, practically ripping the arse out of the those organs.

For almost zero expectations, At the Ferranti Institute is a pleasant surprise and worth taking a chance on especially if duelling organs in your sort of thing.