.com Andy Partridge's extensive catalog of finely crafted songs with XTC might make this improvisational trio seem like it's out of the blue, but he's actually been a fearless experimenter for decades. He's created dub versions of his own music (Explode Together), as well as devoting several projects to ambient sounds and atmospheric settings, collaborating with the likes of Peter Blegvad and Harold Budd. In Monstrance, he's partnered with Barry Andrews and Martyn Barker. The former was XTC's original keyboardist, who left and formed Shriekback, in which the latter was the drummer. The unnamed pieces are spread across two beautifully packaged discs and run the gamut from insistent grooves and undulating rhythms to skittering note clusters and slabs of sound sculpture. Starting at the top, one is gently led into these truly in-the-moment creations. Thoughtfully sequenced, the set is structured so that things get more adventurous as it goes along. By the time the 16-minute closing number rolls around, the interplay has become familiar enough that the sound from each instrument can be followed as if they were ripples emanating from stones tossed into a pond, fanning out, intersecting, and then disappearing. --David Greenberger
D**9
Apologies and Promises plus a little info that might help...
Apologies to those who have acquired this seeking an XTC / Andy Partridge project and/or vocals.Promises of great listening to those who know what a ShriekBack is and why it is a remarkable thing. This is the foundation from which the next Shriekback disc will blossom into creation come early June 2007. Visit the Malicious Records web presence for a more detaile discussion of the coming wonders.From the Monstrance notes - "... this music was improvised and recorded live in the Headroom studio at Swindon new College on the 17th December 2005 and the 13th and 14th February 2006 / there was no rehearsal or discussion about key, tempo or feel and no overdubbing, it just came out like this..."ZenJoy
S**H
tending the musical playground
thanks for the audio stretch and sonic growth in this grab bag of readymade musical seeds. plant 'em in your head and watch 'em grow. a stunning garden of sonic blooms await. fertile ground for a multitude of playful flowering instrumental conversations. caution: pop music fans must water more frequently and add extra patience. long-eared jazzfans: sell the old cow and bring home some new magic beans. to andy, barry and martyn: bravo lads!
B**O
Instrumental interesting improvisational with a progressive sense ability
For halfway Improvisation live in the studio with a guitar drums and bass no vocals I can still hear the artwork of Andy partridge, even though if I would’ve known what this was about I probably wouldn’t have bought it but as a listen more and more the two CD set takes you away on an instrumental ride through various rhythms riffs space and melody as ear catching it sometimes rarely is The more you listen the more you appreciate the existential release from a musical genius we just may be didn’t want to sing anymore…
S**N
Meh
Self indulgent and VERY disappointing. Considering the pedigree of the participants, I expected more. Were two discs necessary? Not really.
D**S
Former XTCers improvise instrumentals
Former XTCers Andy Partridge and Barry Andrews joined up with drummer Martyn Barker for some improvised instrumentals with a sound reminiscent of early XTC minus the vocals (think of XTC's Explode Together - The Dub Experiments 78-80). Even though I like this CD, I am eagerly awaiting a true Partridge solo CD with vocals.
B**K
Ex-XTC Duo Reunited for New Music Experiment
This is an Reuniting of Andy Partridge (formerly of XTC) and his ex-Keyboard player from XTC, Barry Andrews (who went on to form Shriekback and also League of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp). Wonderful Experimental instrumental music from these two very talented musicians.
S**G
A grower, but a rewarding excellent sprawl of music
If you know XTC, you obviously know who Andy Partridge is. A few of you will probably know who original XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews is. Even fewer of you who followed Barry's career well into Shriekback will know Martyn was Shriekback's drummer."Monstrance" pretty much unravels any preconceptions one might have about the members' previous work in XTC and Shriekback. There's nothing nearly as catchy or orchestrated. This is the three tapping their likes of their more challenging inspirations like Captain Beefheart, Robert Fripp, King Crimson, The Residents, Henry Cow -- perhaps Edgar Varese. And a first listen may not immediately stick, and may sound too evasive.However, if you trap yourself into listening to this at work or on a commute back home -- headphones will help -- "Monstrance" sounds far more rewarding. Now, this is one of my favorite 2007 releases so far.For those who like it louder or more upfront, perhaps it's best to start with the second disc, as the music is louder there. That said, it's not any sweeter.. in fact, it's downright caustic.For the record, I'm a huge XTC fan, so I've always heard Andy and Barry's subtle avant-garde touches in their music on "White Music" and "Go 2" (and later in XTC's career, Andy's underappreciated guitar talents.) However, even I had to store away the names "XTC" and "Shriekback" somewhere else in my brain in order to approach "Monstrance" the best way.If you like the inspirations mentioned above, however, I immediately recommend this.
S**T
I should've investigated
Perhaps a big label on the front of the CD which said, "Warning: Improvisation" might've helped. I had hoped for XTC styled song craftsmanship in instrumental form. Instead, well..Not that the music is without merit. Some very interesting ideas at play here, in fact. But many grooves grow tiresome within seconds and I find myself wishing they'd sat down and written and prepared the music in advance. Partridge has a gift for music composition, but Coltrane he ain't.
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3 days ago
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