After a short bouncy introduction, the album moves into more muted, atmospheric territory with the hovering-UFO feel of Glass c/w Steel. The overall mood of the album largely stays there, bar two brief outings for the fuzz pedal. If I had to pick favourites on this great little record, they're both in its second half - Hollow Music, perhaps the most recognisable as an instrumental guitar piece with lots of nice harmonics; and the epic closer, No Birds. Over 12 minutes, a shimmering halo of sound builds up into a great atmospheric space, as Frith uses two guitars laid side by side, using his bespoke extra pickups and an echo unit to make it sound so unique.
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A favorite for over 40 years. Sadly, every CD reissue I've ever encountered sounds like a fifth generation taped copy. If you ever come across the original Lp, you'll be amazed at how much clearer and cleaner it sounds, particularly Not Forgotten and Hollow Music.
ReplyDeleteInteresting - and this CD is on Frith's own label, you'd think he'd have wanted it to sound as good as possible. Might not have had access to first-gen tapes any more, or something like that.
DeleteMy guess is the masters are lost. Some Caroline pressings could be noisy but that's better than tape fog. I bought the first reissue on East Side Digital, which was even worse. The one on Fred Records is better.
ReplyDeletethanks for this. wow i wonder if my cassette of the orig lp will sound better
ReplyDeletestill would like a digital for walking purposes, anyone know if fred is still at mills college?
thanks for all the diverse wonders at the goose
robert