TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN (BY STRATEGY)

Well, this one is very weird. It is somewhere between truly accessible pop and the music of Faust. It is this amazing blend of the "weird" and "accessible" that got me into this puppy. Eno's vocal is truly unique and bizarre, so bizarre that it may even sound funny and unsuitable for pop music, yet I instantly got the hang of the "funny". He is kind of like Talking Heads' David Byrne in that respect, and if you like the quirky pop sensibilities of Byrne, you will probably like "Taking Tiger Mountain". Actually, it does look like stuff such as "More Songs About Buildings and Food" was a reflection of this record, considering the fact that Eno produced "More Songs", "Fear of Music", and "Remain in Light". The Heads' second album sounds like it's partly about that (for the lack of a better word) "quacking" guitar sound. (No, I don't think "twangy" is the word, although I may be wrong.) Breaking news: so is "Taking Tiger Mountain". The China theme and the eccentricity of the presence of certain sounds like whistling and synth loops give the album an even more unique, interesting edge.

Here is the deal: if you don't like this record, then you won't be missing a whole freaking lot, but you will definitely be missing something unless your brain is really immune to this kind of stuff. Prog or not, I think the album is really cool. I personally don't see anything here that looks like a cost of being different and innovative.

On a relevant side note: I really want to sing 'The True Wheel' in this review, but I won't.

Ratings/comments (if you have to ask:)

1. 'Burning Airlines Give You So Much More' - **** (This is catchy and weird enough for a good opener.)

2. 'Back in Judy's Jungle' - ****

3. 'The Fat Lady of Limbourg' - ***

4. 'Mother Whale Eyeless' - ****

5. 'The Great Pretender' - ***

6. 'Third Uncle' - **** (Start with this one.)

7. 'Put a Straw Under Baby' - ****

8. 'The True Wheel' - ****

9. 'China My China' - ****

10. 'Taking Tiger Mountain' - ***** (Eno is finally seriously considering ambient in his poppy stuff. Cool, hypnotic, a little sugar-sweet.)

Stamp: "I like it."