Fred Frith (1988) “The Technology of Tears” and Other Music For Dance and Theatre (SST 172)

Fred Frith

“The Technology of Tears” and Other Music For Dance and Theatre

SST 172

1988  

 

Noteworthy ***

Avant-garde rhythms from Frith, three pieces commissioned by various dance and theatre companies, most of the sounds created by Frith, with Jim Staley contributing trombone on one cut; John Zorn (sax), Tenko (voice), and Christian Marclay (turntables) assisting with the title track.

The music was obviously inspired by exotic sounds from around the globe, but Frith mixes these influences until they are barely recognizable.  He mixes electric guitars and other electronic wizardy with drums and voices, uses multitracking and back tracking to create a mostly frantic sound, cramming a lot of noises into most cuts, some space on a few.  It’s a mixed bag, but certainly has highlights for fans of avant garde.

— winch

Husker Du (1984) Zen Arcade LP

Husker Du

Zen Arcade

SST 027

1984

Rating:***** (Good Shit)
produced: Spot and Husker Du
released September 1984

Four-sider concept album from this Minnesota hardcore outfit.  It sounded like a stupid idea but it sounds great, the trio managing to stretch the sound without losing their vision of a hardcore world, plenty of straightforward HC, but some cuts blurring the fuzz into an almost acid-rock sound.

It’s easy to hear how this not only influenced many bands at the time of its release but also bands years later, including outfits at the end of the 80s that would help launch the sounds of the 90s. (Unfortunately, most of the bands of the 90s seemed to completely forget the lessons of this album.)

While this perhaps would have been better served if distilled down to two sides, who am I to tell Husker what to do. As it sits, it remains one of the few double albums that managed to fill all four sides without going into filler material.  It’s a classic.

— winch (author of…http://www.eight-track.com/Eight_Track_Publishing.php)