Dok (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} cyberinsekt) wrote,@ 2006-12-08 11:18:00 |
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Ergo Phizmiz - Lady Godiva's Operation
No quality control. That might well be the problem the listener faces in getting to grips with the insanely prolific Ergo Phizmiz. 2006 saw the release of at least 5 full length CDs, several singles and EPs, not to mention hours of radio art, sound installations and the like. He's had the excellent idea, however, of enabling listeners to become subscribers. For £25, he'll send you pretty much everything he records for a year. It's still a bit overwhelming, though.
So, as an entry point, here's his cover of the Velvet's Lady Godiva's Operation. Like it and want more? Well, he covered the entire White Light / White Heat album, and you can download it here. How to make a record that sounds as shocking today as VU did 37 years ago? Phizmiz has evidently decided that the way to go is a lo-fi household gamelan orchestra, distorted vocals, handmade instruments, and an off-kilter momentum. It's a trippy, psychedelic take on avant-garde, and this is perhaps it's conceptual failing. The Velvets despised the complacency of the hippy scene - at least Reed did. Mind you, over the years, Lou Reed has claimed to despise just about everything. Some people you just can't please. I'm sure he would have hated this fascinating and very listenable slice of music.
No quality control. That might well be the problem the listener faces in getting to grips with the insanely prolific Ergo Phizmiz. 2006 saw the release of at least 5 full length CDs, several singles and EPs, not to mention hours of radio art, sound installations and the like. He's had the excellent idea, however, of enabling listeners to become subscribers. For £25, he'll send you pretty much everything he records for a year. It's still a bit overwhelming, though.
So, as an entry point, here's his cover of the Velvet's Lady Godiva's Operation. Like it and want more? Well, he covered the entire White Light / White Heat album, and you can download it here. How to make a record that sounds as shocking today as VU did 37 years ago? Phizmiz has evidently decided that the way to go is a lo-fi household gamelan orchestra, distorted vocals, handmade instruments, and an off-kilter momentum. It's a trippy, psychedelic take on avant-garde, and this is perhaps it's conceptual failing. The Velvets despised the complacency of the hippy scene - at least Reed did. Mind you, over the years, Lou Reed has claimed to despise just about everything. Some people you just can't please. I'm sure he would have hated this fascinating and very listenable slice of music.
