O Caroline/Instant Pussy/Signed Curtain/Part Of The Dance/Instant Kitten/Dedicated To Hugh But You Weren't Listening/Beer As In Braindeer/Immediate Curtain
Drummer Robert Wyatt created Matching Mole after he left Soft Machine when that band started to move too far in a jazz fusion direction. This debut album demonstrated a broad range of his musical interests.
“Robert Wyatt's first album as a band leader, following his exit from Soft Machine, shows the broad range of his musical interests - almost all of which were being ignored by his former band at this point, being devoted to jazz fusion. Not that there's no jazz influence here, but the album is infused with Wyatt's hitherto stifled personality, from the touching love song O Caroline that opens the album to the more challenging, free jazz-influenced material that follows.”
“Matching Mole was Robert Wyatt's new band after he left Soft Machine. Their debut album is a real killer and starts with a couple of gentle tracks where Wyatt sings. O Caroline is so beautiful and one of the highlights here. The album gets more progressive and instrumental oriented towards the end; the songs on the second side run together and are just magnificent.”
“This is a definitely a highlight of the Canterbury sub-genre. Robert Wyatt decided to form a new band after Soft Machine started heading in a direction closer to jazz. Wyatt still creates challenging and experimental music that is as enjoyable as Soft Machine releases.”
“This record contains some very varied songs. There are Canterbury elements, but also krautrock, psychedelic, avant-prog and fusion. Fortunately, Robert Wyatt only sings on the first tracks. The typical Canterbury organ and vocals effects are often really good, like on the surprisingly jazzy Part Of The Dance. Wyatt's drums are very elaborate and varied. However, there are unfortunately some lengthy and irritating parts where nothing seems to unblock a stagnant, minimalist and lethargic state.”
“Rather forgettable Canterbury scene sound with some similarities to Hatfield & The North and Soft Machine, but not as well done. The initial tracks are more subdued than most Canterbury rock, but prove to be the best. O Caroline is a great prog ballad with some fine mellotron. Instant Pussy and Signed Curtain are similar at times, and also very good. The longer nine minute jam stays truer to the Canterbury style but suffers due to length. Instant Kitten is average and Beer As In Braindeer is a poor song. The final track uses the mellotron also, but is rather boring.”
No comments:
Post a Comment