RIDIN´ ON A BUMMER

The two cassettes early in their career draw some publicity for Rascal Reporters, which were slowly becoming more well-known in underground circles.The ''Guns for Jerry's kids / Beatrice'' single was issued in 1981, giving also birth to the group's own Hebbardesque Records, and this was followed in 1984 by Rascal Reporters's first proper release, the ''Ridin' on a bummer'' LP.Steve Gore and Steve Kretzmer are supported by a few guets here, you should notice the presence of Fred Frith, Tim Hodgkinson and The Muffins Dave Newhouse.

Ok, Rascal Reporters' music remained extremely chaotic in this and pretty diverse with numerous influences, but for one strange reason ''Ridin' on a bummer'' sounds a bit more compact and consistent compared to their early material.While the cheesy computer-keyboards and vocal manipulations are still present, the focus now is on composition and actually the Progrssive Rock influence is very strong to the point the guys now even flirt with groups like YES or HANDS at moments.Of course the main comparison is still THE MUFFINS and Rascal Reporters appear to step on the footprints of these veterans, adding their personality and coming up with an incredible mix of Classic Prog, RIO, Fusion and sound effects.No surprise the most complex and musically flexible composition of the album is titled ''RIO'' and spans at over 15 minutes, a unique combination of soft piano interludes, symphonic movements, Fusion terrorism with complex workouts based on percussion, clarinet and synthesizers and frenetic, nervous synth explorations.An intelligent, if not a bit of an excessive display of talent.The rest of the album sounds like a Classic Prog group moving often into MIRIODOR-like grounds, especially when the clarinet takes over and the music becomes jazzier and thus a bit more complex, but there are also some more melodic themes in here, especially during the opening minutes with ''Elements'' and ''The hill'', which contain quirky, symphonic keyboards and romantic singing lines.

Rascal Reporters were on to something good here.Their schizophenic, experimental mix of styles is not for everybody, but fans with open ears can eventually taste some more consistent material by the American duo, which belonged among the most adventurous groups of the 80's.Recommended, the album has been reissued both via the ''Ridin on a lavender freak'' compilation and its celebrating 20th Anniversary Edition with plenty of bonus stuff.

4.5 stars. I can't tell you all how excited I am to own this record, and it's such surprise after feeling that "Happy Accidents" the followup to this was just too much for my little brain. Speaking of which that cry from the two Steve's "Does anybody have a brain" from the opening track still makes me laugh. Steve Gore and Steve Kretzmer are the dynamic duo in question here making such an impression in the early 80's with their Avant music that musicians from HENRY COW, THE MUFFINS, UNIVERS ZERO and on and on were thrilled to be part of their recordings. And on top of all this a new album is about to be dropped in 2023 called 'The Strainge case Of Steve".

I get amped up when I discover an album that usually isn't in the style I'm into yet hits the spot big time like "Ridin' On A Bummer". This is all over the place as far as styles go but the collage stuff, the humour, the experimental bits all work for me for the most part. Strainge indeed. MIRIODOR and their circus-like music, Zappa's most out there recordings and MAHOGANY FROG all came to mind then throw in some dissonant horns and certainly Avant jazz and even Free jazz rear their beautiful yet twisted heads. This was released in 1984 and right away becomes a top five for me for that year along with now being included in my "best of" Avant list.

The opener "Elements" really is a concise piece of the whole. All over the place with humour. The epic "RIO" at close to 16 minutes is clearly the tour de force here. Cool to have some guest cello while Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson add vocals. The bio here says that these two former HENRY COW members were united on this record for the first time since their band HENRY COW broke up in 1978. Tim will add some inventive sax on "Barrensphere" one of my favourite tracks. Back to "RIO" and I love this piece with how the band touches on the different aspects of the RIO movement including a dark section. I'm so into the intensity late. Early on for maybe the first 5 minutes it's like a RIO haze has enveloped us.

The second half of "Barrensphere" just kills. "Without Passion Or Peace" is another highlight especially how urgent it sounds late with laughter. "Bones Chorale" reminds me of THE RESIDENTS early on and check out "Barrensphere Revisited" with Dave Newhouse from THE MUFFINS ripping it up on his sax. And even the one minute "Dave Newfield" brings something to the table with it's bright and uplifting sound. Avant music has been a tough go for me but at this point in my life I feel such an appreciation for it in all it's different styles. It's rarely boring and almost always challenging. Help!