INCOHERENCE

Incoherence is a 41 minute work in 14 parts. The central theme is language; it's influences, impossibilities, misunderstandings, contradictions and frustrations. Hammill followers will undoubtedly be enthralled by the musicianship of this album, with the usual duo of David Jackson (sax and flute), and Stuart Gordon (violin). As on his "House of Usher" opera, the work contains no percussion. This does not mean the music lacks substance; in fact it is hard to imagine a production such as this with drums etc. This however is a complex piece and is probably his most taxing yet. To quote PH - '...some of it is extraordinarily difficult. At the end of one section Mr Gordon was driven to say "That's the weirdest tune I've ever had to play" '. On first hearing I was impressed but felt somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer density and volume of so much information and found a couple of the earlier sections almost tried my patience. But as is often the case with Hammill's work, repeated listening brings its reward and the whole thing fitted into place. Eventual coherence you could say.