| While so much RIO-type music is aggressively avant-garde, on this album Thinking Plague manages to write music that is challenging, but melancholy and even beautiful. Dissonant intervals, jarring arrangements and unconventional vocal stylings from Suzanne Lewis still put this firmly into the American avant/RIO camp, but at the same time the tension built by such sections is almost soothing. This isn't to say that the band isn't at times alarming, but songs like "Lycanthrope" and "Fountain of All Tears" get downright pretty at times.
In fact, out of all the "rock in opposition" style bands, Thinking Plague probably does the best job of maintaining a rock element present while keeping intact the exploratory nature of the compositions.
As a bonus, the CD comes with two tracks reclaimed from earlier albums. There is an alternate mix of the title track from Moonsongs, notable mainly for the different arrangements (i.e. certain parts being played by different instruments, etc.). There is also a remastered version of "Possessed" from ...A Thinking Plague, although the subsequent reissue of this album renders this track redundant.
There are many related bands to compare Thinking Plague too. Along the US avant axis, there are 5uu's, Motor Totemist Guild and U Totem. And of course, much of this sound hearkens back to Henry Cow, and later rock-oriented ensembles such as Art Bears and News From Babel. If you are a fan of any of these bands, Thinking Plague is a must. If you have never heard any of them, this would be a good place to start, but be prepared for something that sometimes sounds amelodic, if anything, to those mainly accustomed to more conventional fare. |
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