Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
John Cale - The Island Years CD (album) cover

THE ISLAND YEARS

John Cale

Prog Related


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
fuxi
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This set must be one of the best bargains in an overcrowded market. It offers you three complete albums on two CDs (all properly remastered), together with some astonishing bonus tracks. The albums in question are FEAR, SLOW DAZZLE and HELEN OF TROY, all of which I have reviewed separately.

FEAR is widely regarded as a classic, and deservedly so. SLOW DAZZLE is less well-known; apparently it was Cale's attempt at making a "commercial" album, and of course he went on to spoil the effect by including a couple of near-psychotic tracks. When the time had come to record HELEN OF TROY, he must have known he was going to leave Island. He owed the label just one more album, on which he could do whatever he wanted. He went into the studio and poured out all his negative emotions. As its original cover photograph suggested, HELEN OF TROY is a truly uncomfortable album, which would provide Cale with material for his legendary live shows in decades to come! The only other band I can think of who were expressing similar levels of paranoia and aggression in music at the time, is the New York duo Suicide. By the way, Cale's band on HELEN OF TROY sound unhinged but absolutely gorgeous.

THE ISLAND YEARS is not for the faint-hearted, but it is an excellent set if you want to acquire three of John Cale's most unsettling albums in one go.

Report this review (#266358)
Posted Monday, February 15, 2010 | Review Permalink

JOHN CALE The Island Years ratings only


chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of JOHN CALE The Island Years


You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.