On their second album, Pleasure Forever returns to their decadent world of no tomorrow. This time, though, they’re more covert about their intentions. Their debut advised “When you’re learning to burn out fast” to “do it with smashing panache.” On Alter, that advice would be buried in a distorted malaise and electronically processed through a megaphone. The whole album grinds, grooves and stomps into a seedy, fuzzed-out haze. Occasionally a seedy piano boogie or repeated lines like “Fallen angel,” “Drunk again,” or “Murder” surface from the chaos. But most of the time Pleasure Forever try to suck you into their hedonism with numbing atmosphere. Don’t look for memorable moments. For best results, just zone out.

- Dave Powers
(As posted 5/12/03 on 3wk.com)