Third Ear Band - THIRD EAR BAND***

Air/Earth/Fire/Water

Eponymous follow up album from the Third Ear Band who were prominent in the London underground music scene. They were heavily influenced by Eastern musical forms. (UK:49)

“Their second self-titled album is undoubtedly where their unusual sound really takes hold in a way no later artist in the over-hyped genre of world music would. The melodic oboe is quite different from any type of jazz saxophone, whilst the violin and cello remarkably manage to sound like a guitar on Fire and not lose the band's eccentricity. At the same time, the percussion rhythms on all four tracks result in music that one really can dance to.”

“The band's second album consists of acoustic, spacey folk music. The four lengthy tracks stretch out in a complex, developmental way that places it in good company with progressive music. Each track is an impression of the four elements, done in droning raga-style with percussion, oboe and string instruments. At times, this is almost new age music, except that there is enough conflictive dissonance and occasional dark mysterious moods to keep this music well elevated above that style.”

“Totally instrumental, this would be best described as experimental psychedelia. Definitely a certain taste is required to thoroughly enjoy this.”

“It's a pretty concept that could have been so much better if it had more dynamics. All these songs drone on and on and the improvisation element is pretty static. In almost all cases the music wears thin and is not all that demanding of one’s attention. Air is probably the most improvisational but in the right mood, the Eastern vibes of Earth is the most enjoyable of the four elements, which builds some interesting momentum and percussion half-way through.”

“I don't consider it to be a masterpiece but it's a really unique album with four lengthy, free improvisations and drone influenced progressive tracks.”

“On the whole it was pretty boring, but it wasn't entirely bad. The instrumentation is unique, and the tracks certainly conjure up images of their respective titles quite well. Unfortunately, it is also one of those albums you forget about ten minutes after you've finished listening.”