Glenn Branca - Songs 77-79
I have been explored more no-wave and noize bands lately and somehow - I believe through the research of my lovely wife - I came across this gentlemen and found this CD. I knew the name of the Theoretical Girls but not the Static and this compilation gathers Branca's songs from the singles by both bands as well as some truly twisted home demos and live cuts. The packaging is minimal but has some brief but informative liner notes by Branca.
The Static cuts are fairly minimal'n'pulsating, with DEVO-esque vocal stylings and some nicely jarring guitar squawnk. The Theoretical Girls numbers follow some of the same ethos, natch, but with enough of a different feel to know it's another group. Driving/pounding rhythms, weird time changes, keyboard freakouts, and just general anarchic riffin' makes for some wild listening. The home cassette recordings are truly minimal - just Glenn's wanderin'/waverin'/MX 80 Sound-ian voice and some Shaggs/Half Japanese/Isaac Owens chaos-guitar. There are live cuts that include some squealing sax and abrasive keys backed by ramblin' drums and maniacal tortured guitar work. "TV Song" is, comparatively, almost a normal "rock" song - sorta a mix of Roky Erikson's "Bloody Hammer" and something by DEVO - sorry, his voice really reminds me of Mouthersbaugh! "You" is damn fierce'n'frightening, with a repetitive backing rhythm covered with angular, jagged shards of crashin' guitar chords and the finale, Glazened Idols" has jungle drums covered in anarchic noize and semi-insane, spit-fired, ranted vocals.
Wild'n'primitive, low-fi, no-wave noize - dig it!
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