Customer Reviews

Aberrations 81-84

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The 82-84 Shriekback catalog has never been properly released on cd. To come even remotely close to getting it all in digital form, one has had to buy several compilations and subscribe to E-Music. Even so, sorting out the superior original tracks from misguided remixes has been a chore. In this respect, Aberrations is another step down the wrong road -- a "patch" designed to collect a few b-sides that hadn't been rereleased as well as clean out the vaults of all wholly (or only MP3 subscription) available tracks. What's really needed is a comprehensive 3-4 cd set.

Failing that, if you're a big fan of this early period, in which Shriekback (we now can see) anticipated a great deal of the 90s aesthetic, you will be delighted by this set. Aside from sonically-upgraded b-sides, and a couple of great alternate takes of early tunes (Petulant and Feelers), the approach was clearly to get the best available version of every song that was never released in any form.

From the "Tench"/"Care" period, there are two terrific full-fledged vocal tracks: "Despite Dense Weed" is an extreme rarity, and "Speed of Clocks" is heard here first.

There is also a batch of early instrumental tracks that provide the clearest view yet into the way the band composed from the ground up, building complex rhythms and grooves upon which to stage songs. These, however, are unadorned experiments in rhythm and texture. Very interesting.

From the Jamscience period, there are two tracks. One is a pretty rough demo, but "Carrying Cameras" is a full-fledged tune which sits comfortably alongside the album material.

The final "missing" songs come from live sources, one unfortunately following Carl Marsh's departure, but the other two displaying the crazed experimental frenzy of the early years that was so thoroughly smoothed out in the studio. (The full concert is available via E-Music.)

All copies of the album seem to come with the surprisingly good '94 "final" album. (The original band members are now recording a new album). This is a treat, but *no* information is provided -- not even a song-list. Sloppy packaging!

Back many moons ago (when the video age was new) Muchmusic (the Canadian version of MTV) had preview weekend to temp people to expand from basic cable to cable plus. During one of these weekends I saw Nemesis followed by Wall of Vodoo's "Far Side of Crazy".

I was hooked.

Since then I've enjoyed each new release. The only reason I've rated this a 4 rather than 5 is that it is old matterial - the B sides of singles and alternative versions of some of their other songs. Naked Apes and Pond Life (included free with this CD) was the last new CD they released. Any collector will love this CD, and because NAaPL is included it serves as an introduction to thier work.

Just the first track, Tiny Birds, makes this a must-have for any Shriekback afficianado. And this "limited edition" comes with a bonus CD that definitely makes it worth the price (I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I will say it's an entire extra album).