AMG Review of Origin of the Species, Vol. 3

Bradley Torreano
All Music Guide

Origin of the Species, Vol. 3 is the final installment in a three-compilation set that was put together to show the progression of acid house techno and Psychic TV's role in it. Although few would have pegged bandleader Genesis P-Orridge as a fan of this genre, listening to any of these discs shows exactly why Psychic TV is the perfect band to have latched onto acid house. Creating psychedelic, repetitive, and throbbing techno music is something that should come easy to a musician who can attribute all those descriptions to the experimental industrial music he was pioneering in the '70s and early '80s. This particular volume is the most modern of the three, displaying a more rhythmic and dance-friendly vibe than anything else in this series. Although the typically creepy and overbearing moments are present, P-Orridge tempers them with an up-tempo drive that overcomes his scarier tendencies. Plus, his years of experience make the intense moments fit seamlessly into the overall album, something that he hasn't always been able to pull off. Fans of the industrial side of Psychic TV may want to avoid this, but more adventurous listeners should find this to be a hypnotic ride through the mind of a musical pioneer.