Don’t look for relaxation in the Asian Dub Foundation/Atari Teenage Riot split-single on Damaged Goods (P.O. Box 671, London, England E176NF). The Beastie-influenced Asian Dub Foundation on “Free Satpal Ram” lacks the raw energy of Atari Teenage Riot’s “Paranoid” — a shout-filled drum’n’bass (and noise) track that doesn’t slow down until the needle lifts above the picture disc. Take warning: After listening to “Paranoid,” ADF sounds a little too tame, so save ATR for last.
Originally published in the August 29, 1997, edition of epulse (3.34).