Volcano The Bear - Classic Erasmus Fusion
 

Let me tell you about this quirky improvisational/experimental rock band from Leicester, England. Aaron Moore (drums, trumpet, vocals), Nick Mott (saxophone, guitar, vocals), Clarence Manuelo (tapes, electronics) and Daniel Padden (keyboards, guitar, clarinet, vocals) are Volcano The Bear.

They formed back in 1995 and released their first album, Vol. One, in 1996, under the label, Volucan. These albums, including their subsequent three albums were released with a limited addition; 25 for their first, 50 for their second, and 20 for their third.

1999 marked the turning point of the bands career when their album, The Inhazer Decline, released under United Diaries label hit the underground music scene throughout the world. Their music was compared with great bands such as Nurse With Wound, Can, Faust, and The Residents. Once their band was recognized as an avante garde experimental rock band, their album could be found in independently owned music stores.

By the time 2006 rolled around, Volcano The Bear had released numerous CD’s under a few different labels. Last years release of a double disc album Classic Erasmus Fusion, in my opinion is their most solid and creative piece of work. The sound is something different and enlightening; something not from this era. The instruments they use are not disclosed but according to Jon Whitney from the Volcano The Bear website, sounds like “blowing through woodwind mouthpieces, African thumb piano, helicopter sounds, thunderstorm and rain and running water, medieval squeeze boxes, squeak toys, chirping or crying bird sounds, and Asian stringed things.” I couldn’t describe that better.

Tracks
CD1:
1. Classic Erasmus Fusion (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
2. Did You Ever Feel Like Jesus ? (Moore, Mott, Padden)
3. The Merry Potter (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
4. Ong Pâté (Moore, Mott)
5. Russian Milk (Moore, Padden)
6. Baroque Sensation (Manuelo, Moore)
7. Sharp as the Queens Teeth (Moore, Mott)
8. Hey Judo (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
9. Baltic Minor (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
10. Lifetime (Moore, Mott)
11. Classic Autumn Fusion (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
CD2:
1. Hail the New Mephisto (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
2. The Last Song of Norway (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
3. Shadowfishing (Manuelo, Moore, Mott)
4. My Favourite Tongues (Moore, Mott)
5. Erasmus, the Queens Dentist (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)
6. See Me Now (Manuelo, Moore, Mott, Padden)

You can sample Volcano The Bear’s Classic Erasmus Fusion at this website: Beta-lactam Ring Records: Classic Erasmus Fusion

It is hard for me to choose which songs are my favorites since they all do lots for me. However, the first song I would recommend sampling would be Classic Erasmus Fusion or Shadowfishing. Each, I think sums up whole Volcano The Bear experience.

My rating: 10/10




btw this is my first review, ever. Please let me know if it's bad...thanks :)

A good solid review. Upping the album would have been the icing on the cake. As they are English too..yay!

A few samples have been listened too...different to say the least. If I was stoned then maybe, but this is too off whack for me. I'm into experimental music, but it still has to be listenable or cohesive to make a mark.

what ive heard of Volcano the Bear is rather awesome.. will pick up the record next time im in the city! need more of this stuff..

Review wise its really good.. i like reviews that contain history and label information as well as a good description of the release.. id be very wary of giving anything 10/10 though, as that suggests its flawless, and very few records are flawless!