From: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org (fegmaniax-digest) To: fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Subject: fegmaniax-digest V8 #101 Reply-To: fegmaniax@smoe.org Sender: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk fegmaniax-digest Tuesday, March 16 1999 Volume 08 : Number 101 Today's Subjects: ----------------- the dream po-lice ["Capitalism Blows" ] Re: Trip (Part 2) ["Capitalism Blows" ] RE: Oh, Sh!t!!!! ["Thomas, Ferris" ] Re: fegmaniax-digest V8 #100 [edoxtato@ssax.com] RE: another week in feg [dr john halewood ] Re: Trip (Part 2) [Aaron Mandel ] RE: Trip (Part 2) ["Chaney, Dolph L" ] Re: the dream po-lice [Ben ] RE: another week in feg [Capuchin ] Re: Trip (Part 2) [Joel Mullins ] Minidisc trading [Tobyhello@aol.com] thought you guys might find this funny [lj lindhurst ] Re: Minidisc trading [Gary Assassin ] Ruling class, ineed.... ["Thomas, Ferris" ] Re: Minidisc trading (100% tape hoarding weenieism) [Ben ] Re: the dream po-lice [Ben ] Re: thought you guys might find this funny [Tom Clark ] Re: thought you guys might find this funny [lj lindhurst ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 01:19:14 PST From: "Capitalism Blows" Subject: the dream po-lice i wasn't talking about being able to afford the fines. i was talking about eqipment and licensing. however, is it true that howard stern says whatever he pleases, and just pays the fines? probably not too big a mess. as has been mentioned, we're talking in most cases about a broadcasting radius of a few blocks up to at most a few miles. there's plenty enough room to throw up a low-power station without stepping on any toes. although i must say that i actually differ with the duniferites (a horrible term, but i'm too lazy to try to think of anything else. although, apparently, a lot of people hate dunifer's guts 'cause he's kind of an asshole and a control freak) on this. as we know, they're very strong advocates of setting up a frequency *only* where there is room to do so. but i feel like, corporate-generated signals are *illegitimate*, so we have every right to attempt to jam, or interfere with, or block them. while trying to work within the law has its place, so does civil disobedience. as a comparison, would one argue that blacks shouldn't have sat at a counter in Woolworth's, simply because it was against the law? or should have gone to the back of the bus? or that earth first!ers shouldn't lock down? or that european activists shouldn't be burning genetically engineered crops? or that tom and donna howard-hastings shouldn't have cut down the elf antenna? of course not. the airwaves are limited and *belong* to the public, federal giveaways notwithstanding. so what means should be used? that of the fcc, which says that whoever has the most money gets them? or democratically -- those that *live in* the communities being broadcast to should determine how they're used, in other words? see, i really think you're positing a worst-case scenario which would not come to pass. supposing we let everybody who *did* just want to broadcast a few blocks from their house do it. or a few miles. whatever. plenty of room for all (except, possibly --though still pretty unlikely in my view-- in larger population centres, in which case, people would have to sit down and hash out how it would work.) then, you could have several larger-power transmitters that would be operated *by the community at-large.* think about it. how many people *want* to broadcast 24 hours a day, every day, especially if it would mean obtaining and maintaining their own equipment? probably pretty few. but how many would love to dj an hour a week or something? probably quite a few more. and if there were too many people and too few hours in the week, then you rotate it or whatever. just for example. the point is, these are decisions that need to be made *by the communities affected*, NOT by commercial interests. and yes, of course, you could say the same thing about any issue. but that's *inclusive* of the airwaves. and inasmuch as people can democratise the airwaves themselves, then they should. but that's exactly the point. we *can't* afford it. there was actually a group in seattle looking into purchasing an existing station, and it was looking at a million bucks just to get in the door. if we had the money, we could put it to good use in *lots* of different areas. but we don't. susan, you can't actually believe that. it's kind of a silly point to argue, i suppose. because if we're talking about *within* the current power structure, well, it's simply never going to be allowed, obviously. and if we're talking about within a democratic society, then, that's a whole different ball o' wax. but, just for the sake of argument, what if the airwaves were completely unregulated? you'd still have the big money boys basically controlling everything. but a few of them might be getting their toes stepped on here or there. it wouldn't be much different. but it certainly wouldn't be "much worse." okay, well, it was in the interests of a bloc with lots of money (and votes.) and i don't think it would actually hurt big business any. that is, i don't think they'd be losing any advertisers because of it. i've got to disagree with this pretty strongly (not the part about you having succeeded, 'o course....) if you want to sound "responsible" and "professional", then, you've every right to do so. but free speech shouldn't come with any strings attached. if somebody wants to start up a low-power station that sounds really crummy, then they should be allowed to do so. you don't wanna listen, fine. and no fucking way in hell should broadcasters be required to perform any sort of community service. if somebody wants to broadcast all spice girls all the time, that's their right. even more to the point: if somebody wants to go on the air with neo-nazi ravings, then we should encourage them to do so. democracy isn't a spectator sport. if somebody says something you don't like, it's your responsibility to explain where they're wrong, not to try to muffle them because you or whichever group you're affiliated with happen to find them offensive or misguided or what have you. if you're not in favor of free speech for views you oppose, then you're not in favor of free speech. why not? just because a radio can be switched on, and a book has to first be obtained (which can be in a number of ways besides buying it, by the way)? that's a minor difference, i guess. but a darned sight minor, i'd say. he's not buying it because the stores won't sell it to him. but he's *definitely* being exposed to it. if kids want something, they'll find a way to get it. i've never had a huge problem with warnings. i guess people perceive them as a jumping-off point for harsher restrictions, which they may be. but in and of themselves, i guess they're fine. but here's the deal, again. it doesn't matter what you do to try to prohibit kids from being exposed to something "objectionable", it ain't gonna work. simple as that. if they want to get it, they'll get it. what *could* work is explaining to the kids *why* you find the material objectionable, and going from there. if somebody wants to go that way, that's find and dandy. but i wouldn't advocate it as a *substitute* for pirate radio because one, it sounds too much like a surrender. this is a *crucial* issue. the airwaves BELONG TO THE PUBLIC, and if we just say, "oh, that's okay, we'll just do internet instead," then we're doing ourselves a massive disservice. because no matter how many ears and eyes are looking at the internet for however many hours a day, it's always going to be quite a bit fewer than are watching teevee and listening to the radio (that's an opinion, obviously. but i'm sticking with it.) and secondly, it sounds a bit elitist. on the supply end, it's probably 'bout a toss-up. don't know. but on the receiving end, there are lots and lots more people with radios than with internet hookups. especially in the less affluent parts of town, which is where a great many --probably a great majority-- of pirate radio stations operate. can't remember if brett responded to this or not. but that's definitely no longer the case. and now i shut up, finally. hope i haven't sounded too snooty. this has been a great discussion to read, with some really interesting points made all around. if anyone cares, , is a comprehensive site. also check out robert mcchesney, Telecommunications, Mass Media, and Democracy: The Battle for the Control of U.S. Broadcasting, 1928-1935, for an excellent history of the giving away of the airwaves to commercial interests. http://leb.net/iac/ "As we often see in US foreign policy, other nations' attempts to defend themselves from US attacks are defined as aggression." --Jake Sexton Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 01:31:05 PST From: "Capitalism Blows" Subject: Re: Trip (Part 2) his "ass", you mean? . Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 09:34:56 -0500 From: "Thomas, Ferris" Subject: RE: Oh, Sh!t!!!! >From: dwdudic@erols.com >Subject: Oh, Sh!t!!!! > >Yike! I didn't realize it til just now! my apologies to all! > >anyone catch Julian Lennon on 'good morning america' today? - --- I set the VCR to tape it and, lo and behold, I taped it. Right over a section of tape that must have been thrown in a pile of dung. About 10 seconds into the song it goes to a blue screen, plays backwards for a second, then comes back when there's maybe 20 seconds left in the tune.... Ugh. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:48:24 -0600 From: edoxtato@ssax.com Subject: Re: fegmaniax-digest V8 #100 >You mean you HAVEN'T subscribed to AllStar news yet, via >http://my.musicblvd.com? Tsk tsk. >Eb No need. Apparently. - -Doc ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 15:06:13 -0000 From: dr john halewood Subject: RE: another week in feg On Monday, March 15, 1999 5:48 PM, Capuchin [SMTP:capuchin@teleport.com] wrote: > > Well, the album and song are both Germ-free Adolescents. > > "He's a germ-free adolescent > Cleanliness is his obsession > Cleans his teeth ten times a day > Run away, run away, run away the SR way" > > What the hell does that last line mean? > I think the line is either 'brush away' or 'scrub away' - SR was/is (haven't seen it for ages) a brand of toothpaste which had the great naffness of an advertising slogan of 'scrub away the SR way', or something similar. I also remember this from the time that X-Ray Spex got on Top of the Pops when i were but knee high to a baseball bat - they had to change the words 'cos mentioning SR would be product placement/free advertising - a complete no-no to the BBC at that point. Mind you, how on earth anyone could think that someone like Poly Styrene, all crooked teeth and braces, could be advertising toothpaste I've got no idea... cheers john ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 11:22:11 -0500 (EST) From: Aaron Mandel Subject: Re: Trip (Part 2) On Tue, 16 Mar 1999, Joel Mullins wrote: > dinner and drank a beer while waiting for the first band, Versus. They > were really fucking loud! They had a few songs that I really liked. I > definitely want to hear a CD. Anyone heard one? more than one, even. Secret Swingers is very good; everything else i've heard by them is sort of undifferentiated. when i saw them open for Yo La Tengo, they tried to imitate YLT by dragging out half of the songs to 50% longer than usual. it didn't really work. a ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 11:39:11 -0500 From: "Chaney, Dolph L" Subject: RE: Trip (Part 2) Versus has never impressed me that much. However, Fontaine (the bass player / singer) has a side project called Containe which I adore! It's her plus Connie Lovatt from a really obscure band called The Pacific Ocean. It is not loud at all, but it's good stuff. They have 2 CDs -- I Want It All and Only Cowards Walk Like Cowards -- on Enchante' Records. There's a review at http://www.strengthmag.com/music/07_98/musicreviews/c.html if you'd like a second opinion. Dolph np: The Caulfields, L ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 11:36:27 -0500 From: Ben Subject: Re: the dream po-lice Capitalism Blows wrote: > can more easily afford fines than small ones.> > > i wasn't talking about being able to afford the fines. i was talking > about eqipment and licensing. however, is it true that howard stern > says whatever he pleases, and just pays the fines? Actually Stern doesn't say anything he wants. If you listen to his show you'll notice he uses the delay button not just for the good ol' "shit's" and "fuck's" that somebody drops, but for other matters. Like, you can't say "give head" but you can say "orally pleasure". Stuff like that. When he was fined, it wasn't over somebody using one of the dirty words, it was over some overall segment the FCC found "inappropriate". And Infinity Broadcasting was fined, not Stern personally. Here's a few "Stern vs. the FCC" factoids from http://www.koam.com/timeline.html 11/90 - Infinity gets fined $6000 for Howard's 1988 Christmas show: Ann Stomel, a NJ resident who happened upon Howard's 1988 Christmas show, filed a complaint with the FCC that ultimately brought on this fine. Sighting quotes as "Lesbians filled with lust" and Howard's comments about the guy playing the Casio with his penis, the FCC levied a $2000 fine to the three Infinity stations carrying the show. 12/13/92 - The FCC fines Infinity Broadcasting $600,000: New fines stem from a two week period of shows that KLSX in Los Angeles was recently fined $105,000 for. These fines are due to efforts of Anti-Stern fan, Al Westcott, who started his crusade by getting the station that carries Howard's show in Las Vegas fined. 9/1/95 - Infinity agrees to voluntarily pay $1.7 million to US Treasury: After 6 years of back-and-forth between the FCC and Infinity Broadcasting, an agreement was reached where a "voluntary contribution" of $1.7 million was made to the US Treasury by Infinity. As a result, Infinity was cleared of all pending fines and given a clean bill of health by the FCC. Notice that the actions against Infinity were started by single listeners who filed complaints with the FCC. It's interesting to note that a nationally syndicated show Robyn appeared on years ago called "Loveline" is not only directed at a young audience but is undoubtedly the dirtiest show on the airwaves, yet it hasn't attracted the same attention as Stern's show. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:58:08 -0800 (PST) From: Capuchin Subject: RE: another week in feg On Tue, 16 Mar 1999, dr john halewood wrote: > I think the line is either 'brush away' or 'scrub away' - SR > was/is (haven't seen it for ages) a brand of toothpaste which > had the great naffness of an advertising slogan of 'scrub away > the SR way', or something similar. The line is, of course, "Scrub away, scrub away, scrub away the SR way." I didn't sleep that night. > I also remember this from the time that X-Ray Spex got on > Top of the Pops when i were but knee high to a baseball bat - > they had to change the words 'cos mentioning SR would be > product placement/free advertising - a complete no-no to the > BBC at that point. Mind you, how on earth anyone could think > that someone like Poly Styrene, all crooked teeth and braces, > could be advertising toothpaste I've got no idea... WOW! X-Ray Spex were on Top of the Pops? That's so bizarre. Although I thank the powers that aren't every day for the time and place in which I live, I sure wish I'd've been around for some of the wacky shit in the late seventies. J. np. Some album called Invisible Hits. It's ok. Weird cover. - -- ________________________________________________________ J A Brelin Capuchin ________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:57:16 -0800 From: Joel Mullins Subject: Re: Trip (Part 2) Eb wrote: > So, judging from your accounts, I guess it WAS rare that Smith conceded to > play the albatross-like "Miss Misery" in L.A.? Carole? Yeah, probably so. He didn't play it at either Texas show. > >We drove to Liberty Lunch after > >dinner and drank a beer while waiting for the first band, Versus. They > >were really fucking loud! They had a few songs that I really liked. I > >definitely want to hear a CD. Anyone heard one? > > I vote "Ehhh." I guess that means you don't like their CDs. And I'm totally aware that I may not like them either. I did like a few of their songs though. But they were so loud, I really couldn't hear what was going on very well. > >Then Sleater-Kinney > >came on stage and they were equally as loud. > >They were just too loud and I was just too mellow. > > Uh oh.... I'm not exactly sure what that means. Joel ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 15:23:38 EST From: Tobyhello@aol.com Subject: Minidisc trading I've just acquired a minidisc recorder, and was wondering if any kind soul could copy me any Hitchcock gigs. Unfortunately I've got very little to offer in return - minidisc wise I can copy from my 2 REM and one Smiths boot CDs, but I can copy tape to tape from my huge bootleg tape collection (though sadly not tape to minidisc). Many thanks to anyone who can help... Toby PS Are there any details on a UK tour yet? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 15:58:59 -0500 From: lj lindhurst Subject: thought you guys might find this funny One of the Web sites I work on features "Kidstuff" listings for Brooklyn. These are some of the listings for March: >Staten Island Children's Museum: Wooden Kangaroos: wood glue, ears and a >pocket. > >Staten Island Zoo Revue, children meet Poison Dart Frogs. 0 p.m. > >Staten Island Children's Museum at the Zoo, hop with us by creating >puppets on a stick. > >Women in History Playhouse Fun, learn about great women in history by >donning their clothes, using their props and telling about them. > >Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies, finger puppets that really add up. > >Not So Weird Science Lab, when Vinny "Voltage" Vollono cranks up the >volts, you won't believe your eyes and ears as you learn about the >electricity which helps power transit vehicles and other wonderments of >nature. > [my apologies to TGQ, who has had to read this twice...] l ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:08:43 -0500 (EST) From: Gary Assassin Subject: Re: Minidisc trading > in return - minidisc wise I can copy from my 2 REM and one Smiths boot CDs, > but I can copy tape to tape from my huge bootleg tape collection (though sadly > not tape to minidisc). And why can't you copy from tape to minidisc? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:15:55 -0500 From: "Thomas, Ferris" Subject: Ruling class, ineed.... Ever see Peter O'Toole in the Ruling Class? I'm sure we can all figure out what this kid was doing. Two questions, though: was it silk, and was he wearing a tutu? (from Yahoo UK news....) 'Fainting Game' Led To Eton Hanging Eton schoolboy Nicholas Taylor hanged himself after a "fainting game" went tragically wrong, an inquest has heard. The 15-year-old was found dead in his room at Baldwins Bec House at the top public school with a dressing gown cord tied around his neck. The inquest in Windsor, Berks heard that a group of boys at the school where Princes William and Harry are pupils practised self-strangulation to get a "high". East Berkshire coroner Robert Wilson recorded a verdict of misadventure on the teenager from Esher, Surrey. He told the hearing: "I have been sitting in this court for 28 years and I thought I had heard everything. How naive can I be? "The fainting game, in my language, attempted strangulation, taking place between boys who are some of the cream of our society and probably of above average intelligence, why? "What words spring to mind? Crazy, mad, stupid. What on earth were they thinking of? "What would be the inevitable outcome sooner or later? "It is clear to me that Nicholas tried to do it himself. He had no intention of taking his own life. "There was no-one who was pressuring him or bullying him to do it." ___________________________ Ferris Scott Thomas programmer (860) 409-2612 EPG New Media McGraw-Hill Technology Division Farmington, CT mailto:ferris_thomas@mcgraw-hill.com (work) mailto:ferris@snet.net (home) http://pages.cthome.net/hellhollow/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:45:04 -0500 From: Ben Subject: Re: Minidisc trading (100% tape hoarding weenieism) To go from analog to digital violates all taping etiquette. In other words, digital is a "no-gen" medium, the master and the 1 zillionth copy down the line are exact clones of each other (if somebody didn't screw up the copying along the way). To go from an analog tape (unless it's a master) to digital is a no-no, because it leaves all knowledge of generations up in the air. In some countries they chop your thumbs off if you do it! Gary Assassin wrote: > > in return - minidisc wise I can copy from my 2 REM and one Smiths boot CDs, > > but I can copy tape to tape from my huge bootleg tape collection (though sadly > > not tape to minidisc). > > And why can't you copy from tape to minidisc? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 13:51:09 -0800 (PST) From: S Dwarf Subject: Re: the dream po-lice Ben wrote: > It's interesting to note that a nationally syndicated show Robyn appeared on > years ago called "Loveline" is not only directed at a young audience but is > undoubtedly the dirtiest show on the airwaves, yet it hasn't attracted the > same attention as Stern's show. well, that's because the Loveline people are clever enough to disguise their filth by calling it an advice and information oriented show. if howard just thought to hire a board certified addictions expert instead of robin to go "oh howard, just knock that off" every 15 minutes, he'd have been better off. he's still be a boring, right-wing twit, but he'd get fewer fines for his bosses. _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 17:03:44 -0500 From: Ben Subject: Re: the dream po-lice > . he's still be a boring, right-wing > twit, but he'd get fewer fines for his bosses. BAIT! ...sorry just clearing my throat. (...or "I done be's clearng my's throat" if that makes better grammatical sense) ;) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:03:05 -0800 From: Tom Clark Subject: Re: thought you guys might find this funny On 3/16/99 12:58 PM, lj lindhurst wrote: >>Women in History Playhouse Fun, learn about great women in history by >>donning their clothes, using their props and telling about them. Isn't this one of Quail's nightly rituals? - -t "not that there's anything wrong with that" c ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 17:25:47 -0500 From: lj lindhurst Subject: Re: thought you guys might find this funny tom clark: > >>>Women in History Playhouse Fun, learn about great women in history by >>>donning their clothes, using their props and telling about them. > >Isn't this one of Quail's nightly rituals? > Yes, and it really is fabulous Playhouse Fun. He is especially fond of playing Susan B. Anthony. (I myself favor Lady Bird Johnson) l ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 17:42:41 -0500 From: lj lindhurst Subject: has the world gone mad? (or just brooklyn?) The Famous People Players: "Rockin' Around the Clock"-- oversize characters, made fluorescent by black light, mimic celebrities and dance to hits by Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and Tina Turner. 14 Carrot Necklaces. May 8, 9, 15 &16, 1, 2 & 3 p.m. $2 with admission. Zoo Revue: Piggy Banks that Clank, tin cans, spools and snouts. May 9, 2:30 p.m. Happy Feet, a rhythmic workshop of tapping and stomping the whole family can enjoy. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 99 17:59:43 -0500 From: The Great Quail Subject: Re: thought you guys might find this funny LJ: >>>Women in History Playhouse Fun, learn about great women in history by >>>donning their clothes, using their props and telling about them. Tom: >Isn't this one of Quail's nightly rituals? Oh! You! Tom . . . you coy bastard, you! Don't act like all that never happened at the East Coast Feg Fest! I know you had a lot to drink, but I clearly remember you thinking it was all a blast, yes, even -- dare I say? -- when you felt the need to dress up as Scary Spice and wheel all over the goddamn place lecturing us about the feminist impact the Spice girls have made on the youth of England! And don't try to blame it on Chris Gross -- he did a mean Maggie Thatcher, and you can't take that away from him. And I didn't hear anyone complain about Runion's Mary Queen of Scots or Doug's Marie Curie, either! Oh, yes, and then there was Bayard, who just had to be -- of all people! -- Marie Antoinette. (But I must confess that I was impressed when Brewer Tom whipped up a guillotine on the spot.) And then Woj with the red hair dye, "Professional Widow this" and "Cornflake Girl that," and Gene Hopstetter trying to have us believe that Morrissey counted as one of the "Great Woman in History!" Which, I suppose was better than LJ pulling that "Look at me, I'm Linda Lovelace" stunt, which I may never get out of my mind. She always has to mock my hobbies, doesn't she? I think I was the only one who actually maintained a level of taste and accuracy. Just because you didn't think I needed to act out Catherine the Great all the way to her final demise certainly does not give you the moral high ground here, buddy. . . . - --Quailina, draggin' the Feg Fest out of the closet and into the light +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+ The Great Quail, K.S.C. (riverrun Discordian Society) For fun with postmodern literature, New York vampires, and Fegmania, visit Sarnath: http://www.rpg.net/quail "The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents." -- H.P. Lovecraft ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 15:14:29 -0800 From: Eb Subject: Re: the dream po-lice Ben: >Actually Stern doesn't say anything he wants. If you listen to his show >you'll notice he uses the delay button not just for the good ol' "shit's" >and "fuck's" that somebody drops, but for other matters. Like, you can't say >"give head" but you can say "orally pleasure". Stuff like that. Oh, absolutely. He's even shy about saying "penis" or "vagina" now. He's particularly fond of addressing women's chutes and orifices with the euphemism "your most intimate of areas." "Third input" is another favorite. Meanwhile, I routinely hear "asshole" during the other talkshows on Stern's local radio affiliate. There really is a double standard going on. He also used to field fairly detailed "lesbian experience" phone calls from listeners. Nowadays, he always cuts off the caller with "OK, OK, OK!!!" when she gets too graphic. Incidentally, I'm anti-FCC when it comes to obscenity witch hunts, but I really don't have a problem with them shutting down unlicensed pirate stations. I mean, if you want to try launching a pirate radio station, good luck to you. Have fun. Enjoy. But if you get caught and fined, I don't think you have any right to feel mistreated. Even if you're just a po' widdle 16-year-old. In other news, I finally listened to the new Olivia Tremor Control today. I must say that after all the hype I've been hearing for MONTHS, I was disappointed. I like Cubist Castle better. It's the same basic format -- overlong (69 minutes), a slew of tracks (27) and pop songs interspersed with free-form improv lunacy. I was hoping the band would cut back the improvisations and stress the melodies a little more, but nope. And even when exclusively talking about the instrumental portions, the material here is underwhelming, compared to that on Cubist Castle. Cubist Castle features organic "ambient" improvisations, which were indulgent, yet refreshing when pitted against the sterile, anal-retentive quality of similarly toned ambient-techno sounds. However, on this album, they're not being "ambient" anymore, but instead plunging fully into uncompelling tape-reel experiments. So much for being organic. Now, the instrumental stuff sounds more like the radically edited montages you hear on early Mothers of Invention records. It's more about using the studio as an instrument, instead of the instruments themselves. And the band doesn't have Zappa's classical background, so it feels really dilettante and empty. The pop songs are less memorable as well, and underproduced (the vocals are too low in the mix). So...a mixed review from me. Eb, who apparently received email from Claudine Longet's nephew today (in French)! Now ehhing: The Blue Rags ------------------------------ End of fegmaniax-digest V8 #101 *******************************