The Australian David Thrussel who appeared around 1991 with Snog in the world of techno pop and invented later on the well reputed sideprojects Black Lung and Soma should have had no problems getting any kind of material released. So I wondered what this one would be about and yes, I forgot the spoken word area.Recorded between 1998-2001 he dwells deeper into the themes that are omnipresent in his projects - but this time no groove nor splendid electronica distracts from the texts. Over a supportive soundtrack of creeping electronica blended with jazzy interludes he speaks about media influences, the state of civilization, mass manipulation and consumer habits with a dark sonorous voice. Obvious Aspects of daily life like plastic, oil, money or electricity are questioned effectively in an astonishing way. " Money ..... perhaps the root of all evil.... and certainly a grand delusion.... valueless paper and plastic exchanged for real goods and real labour.....the survival instinct of almost an entire species misdirected into the pursuit of valueless paper" (It`s a majick, majick world)Or:"....Perhaps dozens of ancient civilizaations turned into black gold..... think about it next time you fill up on liquid atlanteans....and drive off...in your automobile" (Oil)Read out in the style of an imaginary american radio suspense story those lyrics gain an ironic value which is not far away from self-parody. At least the impression resulting is anything than dead serious.Added for further enlightment besides extensive linernotes are some illustrations by himself and a CD Rom clip of "The Plastic Wars Pt. I".This is a careful skilled concept album which does not sell new insights or doctrines but uses cleverly available information and sets it in context to encourage THINKING ABOUT IT ALL - including questions like "Does he really mean this serious?" and "Is this fact or fiction?"".....Well, plastic ain't just plastic......you see, every one of jimmy's glad-wrapped lunches, and every single greasy credit card left a little trace, packed a tiny surprise..... estrogen....the `female´ hormone....not the real thing, but a synthetic so lovingly manufactured that the human body just can't tell the difference......just think of it......four or five generations of constant exposure to the female building block....." (The Plastic Wars, Part One)[Reviewed for The Brain, 2002]