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The Muffins - Double Negative CD (album) cover

DOUBLE NEGATIVE

The Muffins

 

Canterbury Scene

3.55 | 23 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
3 stars This is one of the rare albums that THE MUFFINS have created that I have a hard time appreciating. Some of that is due to the length i'm sure as it clocks in at over 78 minutes. Now don't get me wrong there is so much that I enjoy about this album but at this length it's difficult to maintain a high level throughout. Lots of guests helping out too which doesn't help either in my opinion. Horns and strings are added by these guest musicians.

"The Highlands" opens with atmosphere that continues for some time. I'm not a fan of the sound when it changes after 3 1/2 minutes. Sax comes to the fore late. "Writing Blind" opens with piano before it kicks in. It settles with piano again before kicking in one more time.

"Choombachang" is horn led and is somewhat catchy. "The Ugly Buttling" is a funny title and this is the first song that I really like. Well the early part with the organ is the highlight.

"The Man In The Skin-Painted Suit" is a good song with that rhythm, horns and piano standing out. "Childhood's End" features blasting horns trading off with the piano. Flute leads before 5 1/2 minutes.

"Exquisite Corpse" sounds better 1 1/2 minutes in. Percussion and intricate sounds follow. Horns and bass lead 2 1/2 minutes in. Spoken foreign words come in then the music returns after 4 minutes. "They Come On Unknown Nights" has strings and a classical vibe. Drums as the tempo picks up before 2 minutes.

"Cat's Game" is a horn led piece for the most part. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes with keys. "Stethorus Punctum" picks up before a minute but the tempo will shift often.

"Dawning Star" has atmosphere and whistling. A beat after 2 minutes but it's still laid back. "5:00 Shadow" and the next three songs are excellent.This one has some good bass and horns. Horns are letting off some rips on "Metropolis". I like it.

"Angel From Lebanon" has some piano and flute standing out while "Frozen Charlotte" is good too. "Maya" opens with keyboards, bass and cymbals. Horns join in. A relaxed song really until the drums arrive. "The Two Georges" has pulsating organ with sax and drums. Nice bass before 4 minutes.

So a good album no doubt but this is way down on my list of favourite MUFFINS albums.

Mellotron Storm | 3/5 |

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