So, nowhere to send my words other than to post them onto my website. Shame that, some sort of clerical cock-up I guess - or, I suppose it might be down to my PA not doing her job properly - hang-on, I don't have a PA, there's only me!!
Play 90 second soundbite of 'Mexicanism' @ 'CD quality'
So, nowhere to send my words other than to post them onto my website. Shame that, some sort of clerical cock-up I guess - or, I suppose it might be down to my PA not doing her job properly - hang-on, I don't have a PA, there's only me!!
Ok, The Cathode Ray Syndrome appear to do what is or was known as post-rock. Don't be put off by that much-misused smart-arse term coz The Cathode Ray Syndrome are a lot more accessible than many of their contemporaries and predecessors. 'Argh' is fairly easy on the ear, it rambles close to normality actually and doesn't ever seem to run off into self-indulgent compositional juxtaposition, discord or dis-harmony. Actually, 'Argh' is a really impressive work that takes sufficient risks but remains on the acceptable side of experimentation. Typically dynamic with much instrumental interplay, 'Argh' is indeed a beautiful 'noise'; four very fine sounding musicians, each knowing his place, each having near-equal input, everyone combining to make the whole.
'Argh' is a little on the short side for my liking; coming in at just under twenty-one minutes, there could be more. But, at least that time is well spent - 'Argh' is massively absorbing without being at all challenging. There's some great interplay and instrumental reflection going on here and with plenty of time signatures to keep the listener on his/her toes there's more than enough to partake of, much to ponder and plenty to admire. The Cathode Ray Syndrome use light and shade extremely well; they ebb and flow, cadence and cascade, slow and sensual to fast and passionate, it's all there and it's all so beautifully executed. The Cathode Ray Syndrome certainly know how to work as a team, how to lead and how to respond, how to support and how to harmonise - every track is a voyage of adventurous sound and bold instrumental statement. 'Argh' is a splendid trip to take - forget any other artificial stimuli, put aside those mind altering chemicals - music is the drug and The Cathode Ray Syndrome are the prescribes.
'Argh' comprises 'Mexicanism', 'New Rock', 'Warninglid' and 'Wait Until Dark', each stunningly performed, each superbly engineered, each fully utilising the compositional ingenuity and instrumental dexterity of David Caswell (guitar, Hammond), Matthew Fletcher (drums, tambourine, Hammond, Argh), Tim Hatfield (bass, piano, Hammond, Rhodes, Casio SA-20) and Arthur McVey (guitar). Whether this is post-rock or experimental rock or art-rock or any other variation on the theme of rock it matters not; what is important is not the 'name' but the content and here that content is nothing short of fuckin' brilliant! 'Argh' by CRS (as they seemingly like to be known) is a crackin' twenty-odd minute trip that doesn't cause your body or mind any harm whatsoever but is, none-the-less, extremely addictive!
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