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Random Stabbings Part 3

  Tobias

Grundik and Slava "Frogs" (Topheth Prophet Records)
The shower of noise CDs that came down this month from Topheth Prophet included some truly whackoid mouth-foamings that would take months to review.  Since barbecuing is far more critical to survival than work in the summer months, let’s not even attempt to rationalize the militant-Zionist-rant album they mailed and focus artlessly instead on “Frogs,” which, simply put, consists of focused electro-experimentation over the sounds of crickets and frogs partying around a creek.  Highlights include metallic mosquito buzzing on the 6th track, extraterrestrial loons on the 3rd, and a soothing array of guitar arpeggios and chimes that gradually transform into a cacophony of black helicopters on track 9.  www.aurismedia.com/records

Boris "Akuma No Uta" (Southern Lord Records)
Spare-every-expense beat-box demo lifts off with a not-uninteresting feedback and air-raid siren bit of self-pleasuring before this amazing Japanese power trio turns, on a dime, into Iggy fronting Cream on PCP.  The fact that these loons actually listen to the oldies rather than getting their Stooges fourth-hand from Jet is reason enough to check this out – the fuzz-pedals and jazz drums seem earnest enough – but the solos rip, dyewd, seriously.  PS: Clocking in at 12 minutes, "Naki Kyoku" could easily be voted the new “Inna Gadda Da Vida.”www.southernlord.com

Derek Bailey, Mick Beck and Paul Hession “Meanwhile, Back in Sheffield” (Discus Records)
Spontaneous jazz-noise punctuated here and there with bursts of feedback and warning shots from Mick Beck’s bassoon, ie Beatnik 101 discord that could sub in for any of Weather Report’s diabolical noise-breaks.  As is usually the case with these blokes, a conversation between the instruments themselves is taking place – the presence of humans is required only for general facilitation. The topic herein is the godawful rain that mysteriously began plaguing Sheffield, England upon guitarist Bailey’s long-awaited homecoming. www.discus-music.co.uk

By Eric W. Saeger

Indie label releases, spaghetti sauce recipes and silly questions are always welcome.  Email ericsaeger@mindspring.com.