The Whispering Wall |
There are lots of bands which claim to be “original;” most of them... well, AREN’T. The Legendary Pink Dots, on the other hand, are truly one-of-a-kind. In a world of cookie cutter synth bands, the Legendary Pink Dots are producing true outsider art. Like Edward Darger, the Rev. Howard Finster and Louis Wain, head Dot Edward Ka-Spel is one part visionary genius and one part endearing weirdo. The latest LPD offering, “The Whispering Wall,” continues their long tradition of unclassifiable but utterly unforgettable music. Many Goth/Industrial musicians take their cues from Peter Murphy, Andrew Eldritch and various anonymous synth-poppers. Ka-Spel’s music is more reminiscent of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd. He’s got the same gleefully twisted way of looking at the world ... and, like Barrett, the same gift for surrounding himself with talented musicians. Niels van Hoornblower’s saxophone and clarinet licks are as catchy and demented as Ka-Spel’s lyrics: they provide a sweetly weird lounge backing to “Dominic” and add an Alice-in-Wonderland strangeness to the already strange “Peek-a-Boo.” Much Psychedelia sunk into sugary sweet tweeness, complete with unicorns and elves. The Legendary Pink Dots provide us with a truly psychedelic experience, one which touches upon both heaven and hell. Their pretty lights and flashing colors often lie alongside velvety darkness and industrial discord. “The Divide” evokes White Light/White Heat era Velvet Underground: Ka-Spel’s spoken word ramble drifts above a Silverman/Steeg sonic sculpture that would have done “Lady Godiva’s Operation” or “Sister Ray” proud. “Soft Toy” and “In Sickness and Health” also feature Phil Spector-esque Iron Walls of Sound: Ka-Spel’s quirky lyrics sparkle amidst the chaos like flowers poking out of the rust and corrosion. If you haven’t heard the Legendary Pink Dots yet, this is a good place to start. “The Whispering Wall” is a CD which sounds like nothing else you have in your collection (unless, of course, you already own a few LPD discs)... but which will soon have you humming along. If you want to support originality in music (and if you don’t shame on you), you’ll buy this CD and everything else the Legendary Pink Dots have ever recorded. 1. Soft Toy The Silverman: keyboards Website: http://www.brainwashed.com/lpd/ |