‘Nine Lives to Wonder’ (1994) Is an Opium Dream of an Album
OnNine Lives to Wonder is an opium dream of an album. A shadow cast upon the wall. A message in a bottle hanging suspended in mid-air.
Category: Music Reviews
Music reviews
‘Malachai (Shadow Weaver, Part 2)’ Transmogrifies Like Wily Protoplasm Between Listenings
On1993’s Malachai (Shadow Weaver, Part 2) shows the Legendary Pink Dots at their ‘minimalist-maximalist’ best, wriggling away under the microscope.
‘Hit Rendition,’ the Newest Petridisch LP, Is a Bifurcated Dreamscape
OnOut today, Hit Rendition, the new album from Petridisch, is split into two halves, one more electronic, and one guitar-based — and all great.
‘Mothermania’ Was the First of Many Official Zappa-Directed Compilations, and a Well-Chosen Mix
OnThough at this point, Zappa had released five albums, the first official compilation, Mothermania, only features a selection from the first three.
‘Cruising With Ruben & the Jets’ Is Zappa’s Reverently Satirical Take on the 1950s
OnWhat better way to follow up your avant garde musique concrete classical LP? Why with ‘Cruising With Ruben & the Jets,’ a doo-wop record, of course!
Frank Zappa’s ‘Lumpy Gravy’ Was the Composer’s First (Official) Foray Into ‘Serious Music’
OnLumpy Gravy, Zappa’s third or fourth album, depending on how you count, was originally for Capitol’s classical music label, but it’s still definitely Zappa.
‘We’re Only In It For the Money’ Is Frank Zappa’s Delightfully Ugly Take on ‘Sgt. Pepper’
OnFrank Zappa’s third LP, We’re Only In It For the Money is perhaps most famous for its grotesque take on the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover art.
‘Shadow Weaver’ Locks You up Inside the Head of a Neurotic Psychonaut
OnOn 1992’s Shadow Weaver, the Legendary Pink Dots make a fine, doubting record, taking psychedelia forwards, if not with much optimism.
Frank Zappa and the Mothers’ ‘Absolutely Free’ Finds a Way Around the Sophomore Slump
OnWe’ve all heard of the sophomore slump where a band’s second album isn’t nearly as good as their first — but Zappa avoided it with ‘Absolutely Free’.
The New Self-Titled Album by Nicky Flowers Is a Synthwave Joy
OnNicky Flowers, ex-Cassette Fighter, is releasing their self-titled album this December, and if you’re a fan of synthpop, you’ll love it.