Mahogany Brain
These guys are the french equivalent of the Velvet Underground, but on quaaludes or some other downer drug. I've listened to their albums many times and I'm still convinced they couldn't play their instruments even if their life depended on it. What a mess! But somehow, put together, it all works! This is anti-rock beyond Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band at his most out-there. Each and every member of the band goes his own way without any regard to the other members. The resulting chaos is both confusing and exhilarating. Even for me however, this was a difficult band to appreciate, only Jandek comes close to their style of playing (although the texan's playing is often even more monolithic). When you'll first hear this, your first thought will be "even I can play this!", but even playing this brand of anti-climatic rock has it's inherent difficulties. Mahogany Brain obviously knew what they wanted, their sound is a choice. The added poetic (but barely comprehensible) vocals also add a certain "beat" charm to their sound. I dare anyone to try and sound this disparate and remain interesting. Michel Bluteau, the lead singer went on to release solo albums a few decades after his Mahogany Brain period.
With (Junk-Saucepan) When (Spoon-Trigger)Label: Mellow Records Release: 1971 Format: CD Cat. no: MMP 402 |
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Smooth Sick LightsLabel: Spalax Music Release: 1972 Format: CD Cat. no: 14266 |
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