OK so I just finished listening to this for the third time and I have really mixed feelings about it. First off let me say that this wasn't my first attempt at getting in to Jandek, I've previously checked out two of his other albums and found them to be pretty unlistenable-to the point of not being able to make it more than a couple of songs in before giving up and deleting them. i went in expecting more of the same and was pleasantly surprised to find myself at least somewhat enjoying the experience(not to mention being able to actually finish the album multiple times). Generally I think there is a fine line between making difficult experimental music and laziness\lack of ability, and I think this album straddles that line pretty precariously. There are times when it feels like someone just handed this guy a guitar for the first time and he's just making it up sloppily along the way, but just when it starts to wear me down he starts in on something interesting that pulls me back in.
This albums definite strength is it's overall mood, it's so claustrophobic and oppressive and I love music that portrays strong emotions. While his vocals are the the main source of the emotion here there is no denying that the guitar adds to the eeriness and it wouldn't have the same impact with more traditional guitar work. The real weakness of it is not necessarily the length but that all of the songs blend together without any deviation in sound, meter, or key(not sure they really have a key though, but you get my point lol) and it's just to long for that to work. The album would have been a great 4-6 song ep, but as-is it's a pretty fatiguing listen. Overall it's pretty good for "artsy" music but not great. I won't listen to it through again but I will leave it on my computer and throw it Onto my shuffle list. so I'd probably give it a 6/10.
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i will obtain a copy of the discussed album on Monday
Hybrid Mode