2032

Gong

Canterbury Scene

3.16 | 152 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

GonG are back! And this time for real - there's enough of (one of the) original line-ups to truly say this is utterly "GonG" - not Planet Gong, New York Gong, Gongmaison etc.. etc..

And this is truly a cracking album that rewards multiple listens. I had to listen to it lots very rapidly in order to prepare myself for the Bristol Gong gig. It was well worth it - they blended these new songs beautifully into their old stuff fantastically. Oh boy! What a gig! - they were truly fantastic and entertaining - the musicianship was awesome - the new(ish) band members Theo Travis and Chris Taylor are really good.

Poor old Chris Taylor - I think it's too hard for anyone to follow in the footsteps of the mighty sadly-missed Pierre Moerlen, but he does well thankyou. Theo has Robert Fripp and Porcupine Tree connections and is a superb musician - to compete with Didier Malherbe (who contributes to 4 tracks on this album).

It's so so good to hear Daevid Allen and Steve Hillage working together again!

I don't care what anybody else says, this follows on really well from the Radio Gnome trilogy, and brings you right back to those good old days - it consists of that same old spacey fun, funky jazzy stuff with some punk (Waccy Baccy Banker) and rap like stuff too - fantastically well composed and considering their age it's an amazing effort - Daevid Allen sounds young again.

My favourite "Dance with the Pixies" ends up with a superb Irish-type jig on the violin (which Hillage, Travis, Howlett cover brilliantly live). Mike Howlet's bass playing throughout the album is pure joy.

Waccy Baccy is my second favourite (shame about the swear words), but this Sex Pistols sounding track is a true gem - and finishes in space...

Zero the Hero is back! - I'm sorry you're no GonG fan unless you have this.

I haven't given it a 5, because it's not quite as good as the Masterpieces - Angel's Egg and You - but I really think it's not far behind and is in the same vein.

WELL RECOMMENDED - but give it a chance - lots of listens needed and be in a fun silly mood before you start to spin it!

PinkPangolin | 4/5 | 2009-11-26

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