HR136 - Expanded Metal - Meshwork - C60 — 1989
SIDE A:
UNTITLED-(6/9/89) JAM-(6/8/89) ROOF & CIELING-(1ST OF 3 TAKES)-(6/8/89) |
SIDE B:
WHEELS OF YOUR PRAM SCREAMING FLAMING GREEN TORCH FORMICA PAVEMENT JAM-(THE VENUE, EDINBURGH-3/14/89) JAM-(6/28/89) |
REVIEW by Jerry Kranitz
Expanded Metal are the duo of Andrew Hobson and Dion Trevarthen. Dion was a member of the Scottish space rock band Sponge, who had two releases on Harsh Reality (see HR102 and HR108). Meshwork is a collection of jams and live performances, some with guests, including members of Sponge, and one track with Harsh Reality label commander Chris Phinney.
Side A opens with a jam that blends quirkily rhythmic electronica, exploratory space, beats, and effects, kept interesting by multiple layers of beats, keyboard melodies, spaced out guitar, and effects. While the first jam is electronica driven, the next one is more of a space jam rocker, though it also has similar rhythmic quirk and effects fun, injecting a sense of whimsy into the otherwise heavy driving jam. Wrapping up the A side is a lo-fi, spooky and fun space-goth rocker, with ghoulish vocals, trippy guitar, and a dissonant yet alluring keyboard melody.
Much of Side B is from a live performance. The first three are songs that differ from the A side music, being more straightforward rockers with vocals and a pop-punk vibe, but also colored with swirly space effects. ‘Formica Pavement’ is a highlight, with guitar that brings to mind Snakefinger’s Ralph Records albums. This is followed by a freeform exploratory jam, once again with oddball beats and a clattery industrial edge. The jam that wraps up the set is my favorite. It starts off with rapidly gurgling electronics and a slow drumming build up. Guitar soon chimes in, culminating in a beautifully and hauntingly space-atmospheric piece, with flowing and cascading guitar, rumbling soundscapes, and more bleepity electronics.
Expanded Metal are the duo of Andrew Hobson and Dion Trevarthen. Dion was a member of the Scottish space rock band Sponge, who had two releases on Harsh Reality (see HR102 and HR108). Meshwork is a collection of jams and live performances, some with guests, including members of Sponge, and one track with Harsh Reality label commander Chris Phinney.
Side A opens with a jam that blends quirkily rhythmic electronica, exploratory space, beats, and effects, kept interesting by multiple layers of beats, keyboard melodies, spaced out guitar, and effects. While the first jam is electronica driven, the next one is more of a space jam rocker, though it also has similar rhythmic quirk and effects fun, injecting a sense of whimsy into the otherwise heavy driving jam. Wrapping up the A side is a lo-fi, spooky and fun space-goth rocker, with ghoulish vocals, trippy guitar, and a dissonant yet alluring keyboard melody.
Much of Side B is from a live performance. The first three are songs that differ from the A side music, being more straightforward rockers with vocals and a pop-punk vibe, but also colored with swirly space effects. ‘Formica Pavement’ is a highlight, with guitar that brings to mind Snakefinger’s Ralph Records albums. This is followed by a freeform exploratory jam, once again with oddball beats and a clattery industrial edge. The jam that wraps up the set is my favorite. It starts off with rapidly gurgling electronics and a slow drumming build up. Guitar soon chimes in, culminating in a beautifully and hauntingly space-atmospheric piece, with flowing and cascading guitar, rumbling soundscapes, and more bleepity electronics.