Old Gruesomes Yet Again

I'm sorry but I just can't help enjoying this ancient stuff. So bear with me or go away. (It'll make little difference anyway, I suppose.)

mp3: Aksak Maboul - Vapona, Not Glue

The 1st Aksak Maboul album ("11 dances...) is less full of guitars and drums than their 2nd but it still shows definite links back to Henry Cow and The Art Bears and, surprisingly for me, Matching Mole and Hatfield and the North. This track has a self-immolating drum machine, plinky synths, a few chords, sped up sax and a slow decline to bass solo heaven. I've edited it down, btw.

mp3: Confusional Quartet - Nebdo Zip

An Italian RIO influenced band this time but they eschew the typically weird time signatures and relied instead on 'new-wave' tones and simple synths patches. I'm sure they can't play as well as they want to which only adds to the charm as far a I'm concerned. Although that drummer certainly knows a paradiddle or two.

mp3: Lakes - Song of Investment Capital Overseas

And so to 2005 where a Melbourne lad with a great record collection starts recording lo-fi stuff in his bedroom. It's very reminiscent of The Primitive Calulators in many ways but, like, with only one guy. He includes a version of an Art Bears song and, so, immediately endears himself to me. (my 1st band did a 'brave' version of Henry Cow's "War" on our 1st pay up gig - never tried it again - shuddder). Get it at Chapter music.

mp3: The Work - Fingers and Toes

This is from the recently remastered "Live In Japan" release, originally very rare but now available for all youse lovers of avant-rock at ReR or ReRUSA. Truthfully, how can a concert, recorded in the middle of a room on a cassette player sound so fucking powerfull? When that descending bass line starts up I just leave my body and dance around sans abandon (FYI - in this case it's played by Amos / L. Voag - famous from his days in the Homosexuals - he really was a great musician).

mp3: This Heat - Not Waving

To end on something less corruscating but equally disquieting, let's try a track from This Heat's newly remastered 1st album. And, yes, it's worth spending more money just to get the spacious sound that comes off the current CD. (They have a box set out soon - pre-order it to get all the extras - once again from ReR). I think I've previously posted all the more rockin' tracks from this album so just quiet down and listen with horrible fright as dear Charles succombs inevitably to the sea.