ANGEL RAT

Back in the eighties and early nineties I lived in this small cottage that had been winterized, it probably wasn't even 500 square feet in total. Anyway we didn't have cable TV either so the two channels we did get were CBC and Global, both Canadian of course.There was this show that came on late Sunday morning that we always watched unless we were still sleeping that interviewed bands and showed videos and did silly things. It was kind of cool, and it was on that show that I first heard of VOIVOD. They interviewed them and SOUNDGARDEN because they were on tour together. SOUNDGARDEN was opening for VOIVOD on their "Nothingface" tour.They showed clips of both bands work back then and they were experimental and very different from what I was into. VOIVOD got the opportunity to open for RUSH on that same tour and since they were fans and would get some great exposure, it was a win win for them. RUSH suggested they get Terry Brown to produce their next album which turned out to be "Angel Rat" a completely different sounding animal to all the albums they had done previously. This was melodic and catchy yet still heavy and dark at times. Interesting how VOIVOD and SOUNDGARDEN released more accessible albums in 1991 in "Angel Rat" and "Badmotorfinger" respectively. I remember on that same TV show in 1991 seeing the video for "Clouds In My House" and thinking that is so good. Would you believe up until this year I could not put my hands on this album. It's out of print and badly needs to be re- issued. Thanks again to Bonnek for coming through for me. I'm glad I don't live close to him because he'd probably have me doing yard work or something to make up for all this music.

After a short intro we get "Panorama" which hits the ground running. Ripping guitar 2 minutes in. I like how the mood changes on the chorus. Great tune. "Clouds In My House" is a top three for me. It turns heavy quickly with vocals. Lighter on the chorus. It RUSH-like just before 2 1/2 minutes with bass and guitar then the guitar lights it up. Vocals are so good. "The Prow" is another top three track. It's uptempo and vocal led. Such a feel good tune. It settles before 2 minutes then kicks back in with some killer guitar. "Best Regards" is a good little rocker. It settles into a slower but heavier groove before 2 1/2 minutes.

"Twin Dummy" is a straight forward uptempo rocker until it turns a little experimental before 2 minutes. "Angel Rat" is the other top three tune. It reminds me of the eighties. I like this a lot. It's more laid back as guitar makes lots of noise. Vocals are great too. "Golem" opens with some good low end sounds as vocals and guitar join in. A change after 2 1/2 minutes. "The Outcast" opens with heavy guitar and drums as vocals join in. Excellent track. "Nuage Fractal" is dark and heavy with vocals. "Freedom" opens with gentler guitar with bass, drums and then reserved vocals. It kicks in after 2 minutes. How good is this ! Especially 3 1/2 minutes to the end. "None Of The Above" is heavy with vocals and check out the guitar 2 minutes in.

Easily 4 stars.