Monstrance

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…

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

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.

Self indulgent and VERY disappointing. Considering the pedigree of the participants, I expected more. Were two discs necessary? Not really.

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.

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.

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.

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!

アンディ・パートリッジとバリー・アンドリュースのプロジェクトです。XTCのリユニオン的な音では全くありません。インプロビゼーション的なトランス・ミュージックとでもいった感じです。とても心地良いリズムに身を任せていたら、突然不協和な音が出てきたり、たまになんとなく彼ら独特のポップ感を感じる部分もあります。バリーがロバート・フリップに誘われてXTCを抜ける時も、きっとアンディも納得してたのかもな、とかいろんな妄想をしながら聴いてしまいます。煌めく才能を持った旧友同士の再会を喜びましょう。きっと二人もとりあえずなんかやろうぜ的なセンシティブなセッションから生み出された音なのでしょう。素晴らしい名盤です！！

購入時、期待はしておりませんでした。が、最初に聞いたとき、心地よかったと感じました。こんなリリースをしていたとは、気がつかず、評者は、リリースからずいぶん経ってからの購入を少し悔やんでおります。Webでたどり着けて良かった。　しかしながら、本作にXTCの雰囲気を期待してはいけません。Barry AndrewsもXTCのオリジナル一枚目のノリではありません。キャッチーな部分はありません。ボーカルはありません。感触としては、Robert Fripp、Brian Eno、David Sylvianのソロのような、Brand Xのような。強いてジャンルに分類するとジャズ、フュージョンでしょうか。映画のサントラのように感じる部分もあります。Andy Partridge やXTC(Homo Safari Seriesをご存知の方はそれを想起するかも)にも本作のような曲は、ありますが、さらにそれを突き詰めて、感情に訴える部分を削ぎ落し、ストイックにリズムを追求した音楽だと思います。それゆえ、その境地に入れる方には、おすすめです。分からない方は、Homo Safari Series　を聞いてみて、好きかどうかチェックしてみてはいかがでしょうか。　希望としては、せっかくバンドを組んだのだから、元気な演奏をして、作品をリリースして欲しい。