IN PRAISE OF LEARNING

I am a huge magma fan and was reluctantly shown Henry Cow as a similiar artistic achievment in avant-prog (or modern chamber? labels?). I didn't warm up to this album right away and it was the first I heard. However after listening to it a few times I consider it to be an absolutely awsome recording with many colours, twists and turns and I now have all but Desperate Straights which i will obtain. Living in the heart of the beast is my favorite,(i agree with the above reviewer) it starts with an amazing guitar and bass lick. The song is rythmic, intense, soft, and the organ/key breakdown is lovely and thoughtful. Dagmars vocals and lyrics are strong and beautiful, and the rest of the playing is virtuosic. I have read that Cow played with Magma, I wish that I was alive to see that, I think I was 1 at the time. Beatiful as the moon.... has a really catchy rythmic piano line which I can't get enought of. War is awsome as well, and the other tracks are more avant guard and noisy but not without their charm. I highly recommend this album to anyone who likes Zappa, Magma, any prog. rock, or has appreciation for creativity and artistic integrity.