STORIES FROM THE SHED

Stories From The Shed is the first studio album of the Belgian The Wrong Object. The band started in 2002, playing Zappa covers. They issued 2 live CD's: one with Elton Dean (ex Soft Machine, alt sax) and one with Annie Whitehead (ex Penguin Cafe Orchestra, trombone). That being said, one can already guess what kind of music we've got here.

5 years after the start they found the time is ripe to play their own music. None too soon. The sound is rich, the compositions are strong and sometimes even dramatic; the whole record is consistent, well arranged and doesn't have any weak parts. This, while the album is recorded live in studio, without overdubs. Or so it is said on the back cover. I must say however, there is not very much Zappa left here. Well, I have no problem with that. The music is still reasonable avant-garde, but leans more on the European examples of Henry Cow en Soft Machine, sometimes King Crimson from the Red period as well. This is the style that Chris Cutler of Henry Cow named RIO. Rock In Opposition. In that kind of rock, one will find lots of experimental jazz and quite a little rock. You will also hear in their music some influences of Brand X and the late Gong. May be it looks the most like one of the latest sprouts of the Gong family ? Gongzilla. So, this is the recipe: take Gongzilla, lessen the guitar, add sax en trumpet and you'll get The Wrong Object. An alternative: take the late Soft Machine, limit the improvisations to a justified level and make the bass-guitar a little more prominent. You've got the picture now I hope.

There is here lots of saxophone and trumpet, both leading and improvising. The electric guitar and electronics are actually more supporting, creating the framework, not dominating. However, at the end of the record, on The Unbeleivable Truth (inspired by the film by Hal Hartley of the same name?) the guitar is set loose, fantastic solo, may be a little too long. The drums playing is strong, but missing a necessary innovation, if you'd want to compare it with the work of Chris Cutler (Henry Cow) or Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine).

I hope that the reader excuses me, but I can not resist the urge to philosophize a little.There really exists such a thing as a "music-geographical spread". Let me give you just a few "music-politically" irresponsible prejudices: The best prog comes the last 10 years from Sweden. The best gothic comes as always from the Netherlands. The best jazz comes from America. The best RIO comes from Belgium. Think of Univers Zero, Humble Grumble, etc. Well, of course, this kind of non-commercial music is not really frequently made. Therefore a few individuals that play a loose and fun kind of jazz-rock can actually influence this musical geography. Another thing that influences it is the local politics. Think of free music lessons for the children in Sweden. Each second Swede plays in a (prog) rock band nowadays. Add a traditional penchant towards an alternative music (well, forget ABBA for a moment), and hence the result: lots of progressive rock in Sweden. The Wrong Object is also financially supported. There is a statement on the back cover: "This release was made possible by the support of the Communaut Fransaise de Belgique". Further on, the record is released by the Moonjune records, a label that supports alternative music (often Soft Machine related). Moonjune is actually a good alternative to the Recommended Records of Chris Cutler, which also is a unique concept of a record company for alternative music, started by the founding father of RIO himself.

Let's say, you are on the right path, guys. Thank you very much, I enjoyed it, and hope for more!