Circle Maker, The - John Zorn

Advantages: Superbly played, written and sung - and what a variety of moods
Disadvantages: None

...When Richard and Linda Thompson's marriage and professional partnership hit the rocks in 1982, both went solo - Richard had done so once before, after leaving Fairport Convention at the start of the 70s. In my view, the result was the best of his long career to date. He had a first-rate band behind him, consisting of three of his former Fairport colleagues, with folk stalwart John Kirkpatrick on accordion and concertina, and sax players Pete Thomas and Pete Zorn. Add Richard and his often underrated but incredibly potent lead guitar, and you've got an amazing rock'n'roll meets Cajun outfit. The songs were equally incredible, some of them naturally reflecting the traumas of his personal life at the time. "Tear Stained Letter" ('My heart was beating like a song by the Clash, it was writing cheques that my body couldn't cash... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Fishbone meets Faith No More in a train crash
Disadvantages: not everyones taste because it is quite schizophrenic

...evil looking clown, holding a match, on it. This album was released on 13 August 1991 and was produced by John Zorn. Outstanding tracks:- Egg, Squeeze me macaroni, Girls of porn. Suitability for kids? – not really, but I think any kid that has discovered Mr. Bungle has got some musical integrity and are probably mature enough to listen to it. 1. Quote Unquote (6.57) So, you’ve put the CD in the player and pressed play… 35 seconds of near silence (There is actually someone snoring). Big choppy guitars and a bouncing bass line mostly drive this song. But like any Mr Bungle song it doesn’t remain as simple as that. The track goes into a very jazzy middle 8 before some organ mashing. Back to the bounciness and into a very laid back refrain which include the lyrics “Grease is the word, it’s the word…” which gives you a clue (not... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: You may take pleasure in owning something obscure.
Disadvantages: The album.

...the authentic 12"), is actually music, performed by the usual black metal instruments of guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and snarling voice, and grounded in regular rhythms and repeated riffs. It takes several minutes of listening to raise suspicion that something is awry, as the instruments slowly form themselves into something resembling the usual introductory song of an album evoking a dark atmosphere, but it's more a realisation that the song is simply going nowhere than a reaction against an alienating avant-garde sonic extravaganza in the style of John Zorn. 'Obscuritatem Advoco Amplectére Me' is a seemingly improvised lengthy recording that goes absolutely nowhere and, despite its obvious intentions, fails to evoke any kind of atmosphere other than disappointed boredom and restlessness. There are many bands, inside and outside black metal... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful