Caspar Brötzmann "Mute Massaker" Rough Trade RTD 195.3362.2 1999 (60:03)
Mute Massaker (9:54)
Cheyenne (6:54)
Pearl of Utah (8:55)
Indians (13:29)
Rain (9:28)
Woodstock Hymne (11:23)
Caspar Brötzmann - guitar, Robert Dämmig - drums, Ottmar Seum - bass.
Guitarist Caspar Brötzmann is best known through his work with the power trio Massaker and collaborations with FM Einheit (Einstürzende Neubauten), Page Hamilton (Helmet) and Pigface. Here he continues to record with a trio but under his own name. "Mute Massaker" is comprised of 6 fairly lengthy, avant-garde jazz/blues jams recorded live in the studio. Judging from the song titles, the beautiful artwork (also by Brötzmann) and the general somber tone of some of the music, I think the album may possibly be a lament of the massacre of the Native American Indians. There is a definite blues vibe here, not really in a traditional sense, but in more of an "experimental" sense. The music ranges from quiet, guitar only sections to harsh walls of sound. Brötzmann delivers some absolutely devastating guitar work throughout this record. His playing is very reminiscent of the free-form improvisations of Jimi Hendrix and Greg Ginn (Black Flag) ... a just barely contained sonic chaos of flowing, distorted guitar lines. He solos effortlessly throughout these songs, returning here and there to themes and locking into grooves with the bass and drums. It looks like Brötzmann is the one that will finally fill the recent void in quality experimental, electric guitar based music for me. There is a very good chance that "Mute Massaker" will be on my top 10 of 1999 list ...
Caspar
Brötzmann Discography
Rough
Guide to Rock - Caspar Brötzmann
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.