UNREST

Second, and possibly one of the best Henry Cow album. After their debut they made some line-up changes. Most important - Fred Frith is there, and his guitar paints free form geometric sound figures...

I like this album - being very experimental one, it has strong (British) chamber feeling! Some (free) jazz elements are presented almost everywhere, but at the same time common sound is dry, well constructed, almost academic in moments. Possibly, this strange combination of experimental music and chamber tradition gives such attractive effect.

Jazzy elements there are more in a Canterbury manner, but differently from relaxed Canterbury sound, almost all the time all musical components are framed in neo-classic musical frames.

Big part of music presented is improvs, but not in a free-jazz manner. It's often pure modern neo-classic avant . As a result, music isn't easy accessible, and will hardly attract fans of melodic, rhythmic and well structurised compositions.

For me , it is really interesting to hear Fred Frith playing in early 70-s his strange and complex guitar , what later will grow into Naked City hardcore.

Very original and interesting for time of it's release , this album sounds well even now. For sure, release for avant/RIO fans, hardly accessible for casual listener.

My rating is 3,5, rounded to 4.