Monday, October 23, 2006

Lard Free{France}(Jazzy freakout)

''Lard Free''[1973]
Lard Free's debut is stunning, full of energy and deeply enjoyable. If you can picture Sabbath's Geezer Butler (first two albums) playing with King Fripp, Brian Eno and maybe a less virtuoso Bruford making an album , you might have an idea of what this album sounds like. Sometimes the Eno/Fripp influences are overpowering the rest of the influences but this is relatively minor. Those long instumental tracks rolling around a superb bass and repetitive drumming is simply fascinating, may sound to some as jams but not quite as this is more to do with minimalism.

Hartman's group is along with Heldon one of main bands that drew heavily on Krautrock to the point that they are often categorized as such although both bands/projects are French. So if you are into Krautrock, you know what you have to do!(Hugues Chantraine)

''I'm Around About Midnight''[1975]
Lard Free's second album is very different of the debut and really adventurous mood! With this sophomore album, the feel is definitely towards German influences although the Fripp/Eno ones are still very present.

One cannot help to think of minimalism German master Faust when listening to the Alambic track with their repetitive synths and Tangerine Dream phasers in the background leading you with no definite boundary into the Bakestan track where an Oldfield-like piano and flute take over. Still with no clear track ending we are now lead by a sonar noise (much like Floyd in Echoes) into Taktooz and haunting ambiances lead you in Pale Violence with its booming bass. the CD finishes off with an
eastren-sounding piano-led track.(Hugues Chantraine)

''Spirale Malax''[1977]
Once again, Lard Free presents another very different facet compared with the preceding ones and sadly this was to be their last one. But this album is clearly in the continuity of their previous Midnight album, taking the Krautrock presented there a step further almost to reach Tangerine Dream.

If I mention Tangerine Dream, I am speaking of a cross between the Zeit/Atem era and the Phaedra/Rubycon era. But the main difference would be that there are a lot more instruments ouside of KB , least of all is that searing Frippian guitar work that the successor of Pinhas (it was him in the Midnight album) , Baullieret would go unnoticed (you could swear it was Pinhas in here too) if it was not for his credits! As always the Fripp/Eno influences in Lard Free albums is overbearing!

Side 1 is a side-long track Spirale Malax (so imposing it gave its name to the album , but the album was originally entitled III) that is so remiscent of Tan Dream mixed with influences of minimalist Terry Riley (Thanks Philippe) that you will check again to see if you have the right disc in the deck! Slowly evolving music but definitely more eventful than T D. The other track on side 2 is divided in three sections according to the Spalax CD and four in the information above (this is often a problem with Spalax label products, the track listings on the booklet do not agree with the music on the discs). Anyway Synthetic Season is another awesome track!

Since I had to write my review in two days since this track confusion thing, I could read my reviewing colleague Philipe asking you not to take into account Tangerine Dream influences into account, he might well re-listen to the four albums I mentionned above come back to me with his new impressions!(Hugues Chantraine)

Lard Free - 12 ou 13 juillet que je sais d’elle:
Lard Free - Warionbaril:

Links in comments.

11 comments:

EelaFree said...

Lard Free

EelaFree said...

I'm Around About Midnight

EelaFree said...

Lard Free - III @ 256

Anonymous said...

IT´S THE ALBUM I'm Around About Midnight INCOMPLETE? THANKS

Anonymous said...

Maybe Gilbert Artman's fans will be happy to hear that URBAN SAX may release a new record soon. The band is still playing nowadays, performing great concerts in remote places, like China!

Armute

nahavanda said...

here is the missing track link in i'am around about midnight album

lard free - 03 - does east bakestan belong to itself

http://tinyurl.com/yd9yx8

nahavanda said...

alternatively you can download full album "i'am around about midnight" from this link:

http://tinyurl.com/y5v5ly

Anonymous said...

Thank you!

--JDT
http://www.last.fm/user/Justin1983/journal

Mars said...

I've got no clue why avoided these. Thanks, this stuff is KILLER.

Anonymous said...

Big Big thx Eela !

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much !

For information Lard Free discography will be soon repressed in vinyl by Wah Wah records (Spain). It's expected for November 2010.

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