PORTABLE MADNESS

Sensations' Fix other 1974, vinyl album "Portable Madness", is more primal yet it has a more accomplished performance dexterity, in comparisson to their 1974 "Fragments of Light" record. But somehow, even though, the music sounds perfectly rehearsed and put up together, the feeling in general is too technical and more than once, heartless mechanical. To the point of going backwards and start sounding as if they were still playing a "studio run-through" (like the ones that appear as bonuses on today's "oldies" remastered cds). I mean, I do appreciate skilled musicianship, but not to the point of "pressured by studio time" (and money, I suppose) almost-perfect but "soulless" performances. The line between is too thin as to become and sound like a "music school's final test" presentation or mere "almost there" rehearsals .

As far as studio perfection, I myself will choose low-budget masterpieces over hi-tech garbage. But money is money, no one's concern, unless its yours. What saves the day are this record's highlights, which are evidently found on the last 4 and a half tracks, when the band had throughly "warmed up" and was more comfortable with the "studio situation" they were trapped into. Quiet undeserving for the "flowing-like" intention of the recording (no mute gaps between each song), because It takes them to much time, to really lift off. And their developing own- musical language, is also stuck in the same kind of mud. Too technical as if scared to miss the note, like "stage fright".

I do prefer "Fragments of Light" more experimental tone, less technical compositions and more heartfelt performances as a whole.

With less pretention in technical perfection (more studio-time,maybe) and a "whole lotta love", this could have sounded above my ***3 "flat" PA stars rating. Promising but not enough.

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