Bill Rieflin (Ministry, the Revolting Cocks, KMFDM, SWANS, NIN, etc),Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn (King Crimson) first pooled their impressivetalents on Rieflin's debut solo album from earlier this year, "Birth ofa Giant", also on First World Records. "The Repercussions of AngelicBehavior" is 53 minutes of instrumental improvisations from the samesessions. Whereas the majority of the tracks on "BoaG" were wellcrafted experimental pop songs, the 10 untitled tracks found here arelittle more than self indulgent, masturbatory jamming ... unfocused,leftover session fodder better left in the vaults. The music rangesfrom laid back ambient atmospheres, courtesy of Fripp and Gunn's uniqueguitar tones, to rapid-fire and somewhat random, headache inducingguitar/drum/bass noise blasts. There's a lot of talent in the room butto my ears there's a serious lack of soul. I'm sure the prog rock /acid jazz crowds would be able to find whatever it is they find in thissort of stuff ... but it does nothing for me. Save for three of thelonger (7+ minute) tracks of the more ambient nature, "Repercussions.."is really disappointing. "Birth of a Giant" makes much better use ofthe talents of Rieflin, Fripp and Gunn (and several others) and remainsone of my favorite new albums of 1999. Get it instead ... - Mark Weddle
Extended extended extended Brand new special extended episode featuring 14 new (and new from the vaults) recordings by British Murder Boys, Mono, JG Thirlwell, Gouge Away, Rail Band, Greater Than One, Can, Akira Kosemura & Lawrence English, Hans Reichel, Or Best Offer, Tongue Depressor, Drop Nineteens, A Certain Ratio, and Aya. House photo from John in Vancouver. Get involved: subscribe, review, rate, share with your friends, send images!
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My pick of the week is the fourth album by this German group, released in 1998. Notwist is allegedly an offshoot from the Tied and Tickled Trio, a jazz rock influenced group who can be found on more remixes than original product, including the Aerial M remix album "Post-Global Music".
I must admit I didn't know what to expect when hearing this, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This is the first (to my knowledge) first full-length official release from Russian sound engineer, Ivan Pavlov. Ivan is definately showing influences of a cross between Panasonic and Ryoji Ikeda, but it is definately his own. A pleasant surprise on this is the human element that has become so withdrawn from other music in this genre, his baby daughter Sasha appears on one of the tracks. I know it's nothing new, but it's something that fits well.
The second collaboration between these three, and what a fine disc it is. Low bass dub influenced music, the Mick Harris signature drum loops, and special effects by Eraldo Bernocchi. While Laswell and Harris have been mass producing music lately in the droves, the right combination always has a possibility of yielding a stellar product. Listen to this one loud.
