Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 22:56:34 -0500 From: Craig <vdorje at ev1 dot net> Subject: Re: Rock In Opposition
>Thinking Plague is the darkest of the lot (think "Red"). "In Extremis" is >their masterpiece,
It`s certainly awesome, but I still prefer their previous one, "In This Life". Their previous vocalist, Susanne Lewis, was infinitely better, & the tunes had a tremendous Art Bears feel. ........Artfully crafted, & INVENTIVE!!!
Their excellent first 2 have been reissued recently also on 1 CD. THINKING PLAGUE is definitely a band to investigate for the avid Krim-head.
> although they're finishing up a new one due in September.
Yup, can`t wait!!!
.....<salivatory drool>
>The 5uus have been through 3 different line-ups. David Kerman is the >constant. My favorite is "Crisis In Clay" from the trio line-up (Kerman on >Drums, Bob Drake on Bass/lead vocals and Sanjay Kumar on Keyboards). This >disc reminds me of a very twisted "Yes".
"Crisis In Clay" is an absolute monster! There is a definite Chris Squire Rickenbacker sound, & Bob Drakes vocals *are* reminiscent of Jon Anderson, but this music is produced (by Drake) in such an intensely dense manner, that it beggars description. ESSENTIAL, period!
>Motor Totemist Guild is a twisted big band (adding brass and woodwinds to a >"rock" ensemble). > Their music captures many far-eastern influences.
Huh? Which ones?
>They >produced a series of independent releases in the 80's (available on their >"archive" series). I have "City Of Mirrors" and enjoy it a lot.
That one has a *major* Stan Kenton influence. Big band progressive never sounded quite like this before.
>Thinking Plague, David Kerman/5uus, The Science >Group, Hamster Theater, U Totem and Motor Totemist Guild.
One more addition to your great list (of incestuous groups) would be Belgium`s PRESENT (the most Krimson sounding of them all), who Dave Kerman also drums for at times. Especially their debut, "Triskaidekaphobie" ("Fear of the Number 13"). Extremely Fripp-ish guitar all over the place...........
~C