Toast in the Machine Playlist:
Cat Power - You are Free - Free
Neung Phak - Mono Pause - Diew Tob Diew Tob
the Kids of Widney High - Act Your Age - Two Faces on Fidel
Anniki Tahti - the Man Without A Past - Muistatko Monrespos'n
Half Japanese - the Band that Would Be King - Curse of the Doll People
Nick Cave & Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads - Stagger Lee
the Dirtbombs - Dangerous Magical Noise - I'm Through With White Girls
Hella - the Devil Isn't Red - Architect
Yo La Tengo w/ Daniel Johnston - Genius + Love - Speeding Motorcycle
Jandek - Somebody in the Snow - Bring It in a Manger
Sun Ra - the Singles - Blues on the Planet Mars
Lee Hutzulak - Princess Builder - Jelly Boxer
Sun Ra - the Singles - I'm Gonna Unmask the Batman
Archie Shepp - Fire Music - Malcolm, Malcolm, Semper - Malcolm
Mississippi Fred McDowell - I do not play no rock 'n roll - Lone Linner Skinner
******************
SG, you have enslaved me.
Gotta be free. Gotta be free.
Cat Power - You are Free - Free
Neung Phak - Mono Pause - Diew Tob Diew Tob
the Kids of Widney High - Act Your Age - Two Faces on Fidel
Anniki Tahti - the Man Without A Past - Muistatko Monrespos'n
Half Japanese - the Band that Would Be King - Curse of the Doll People
Nick Cave & Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads - Stagger Lee
the Dirtbombs - Dangerous Magical Noise - I'm Through With White Girls
Hella - the Devil Isn't Red - Architect
Yo La Tengo w/ Daniel Johnston - Genius + Love - Speeding Motorcycle
Jandek - Somebody in the Snow - Bring It in a Manger
Sun Ra - the Singles - Blues on the Planet Mars
Lee Hutzulak - Princess Builder - Jelly Boxer
Sun Ra - the Singles - I'm Gonna Unmask the Batman
Archie Shepp - Fire Music - Malcolm, Malcolm, Semper - Malcolm
Mississippi Fred McDowell - I do not play no rock 'n roll - Lone Linner Skinner
******************
SG, you have enslaved me.
Gotta be free. Gotta be free.
VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
With their first two releases, "Its Understood"(2000) and "Buck Fever"(2001), the Santa Cruz quintet known as Estradasphere established complexity and unpredictability as a few of their trademarks by presenting mostly relentless epic songs that flow from one style to another. The title of their third effort, "Quadropus", seems to be a reference to the fact that the band now finds itself to be a four-part entity (think of an octopus but with only four tentacles). The names of those tentacles, and their primary functions, would be Jason Schimmel (guitars), Timb Harris (violin), John Whooley (saxophone & vocals), and Tim Smolens (bass). Although drummer Dave Murray plays on some parts of the newest album and is currently playing on tour, he has officially left the band.
The reduction in size has been accompanied by a reduction in the ever-changing and restless feel of some earlier material. Of course, the jaw-dropping musicianship and incredible precision is still there, but its in a more polished and refined manner this time, with a clearer sense of purpose and direction. Instead of having death metal sections interspersed throughout the majority of the tracks, we find one death metal song (Jungle Warfare), which does not deviate from that style. There are still a few compositions that retain the genre-shifting feel and the signature eastern European influence such as Mekapses Yitonisa and Hardball, the latter of which may fairly be called epic. However, most of the songs on this album begin in a particular style and stay with it; this may be initially disconcerting in terms of taste to veteran fans, but ultimately the quality of the music seems uncompromised in spite of the fact that its been made more accessible.
The diversity is still there, from the Greek traditional opener to the finale, a poignant and funny love song reminiscent of 60s pop. There are more vocals, and even a few potential radio singles such as Bodyslam, a nu-metal track that sounds like a cut from a Kid Rock album. However, its unlikely that Estradasphere will lose their eccentric side anytime soonwere talking about guys whose Santa Cruz shows often feature a circus of oddities including fire dancers, gorilla suits, and evil cheerleaders.
Listeners who are unaccustomed to more experimental music might do well to let this newest offering serve as their introduction to a staggeringly talented group of musicians who can play nearly every genre of music and wield an impressive array of instruments. Those who hunger for more of the ferocious complexity exhibited during certain parts of this album will be well-satisfied by their previous two releases. Quadropus is an excellent and well-balanced piece of work which shows that these self-described musical dorks know how to direct their brand of instrumental insanity to a wider audience.
So there you go. After examining your tastes, I get the feeling you would like their earlier stuff better. My advice: find the track "Hungerstrike" from the 1st album. It's about 20 minutes long. If you can't find something in that composition that you like, then you probably just will not dig this band.
Hope that helps.
YOU ARE OBSOLETE