Customer Reviews

Before the Quiet

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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This excellent collection compiles CB's earliest recordings, from rehearsals to their first 7" to some great live material. Back then, Paul Lemos was equally influenced by the late '70s NY punk scene and some of the odder prog rock that was around at the time. This seemingly impossible combination worked well under the hand of Lemos, whose energetic guitar noodling anticipated the schizophrenic jazz punk style of Black Flag's Greg Ginn, especially with his post-Flag band, Gone. Meanwhile, the rhythm section and Gary Pecorino's keyboards conjure the aggressive pop sensibilities of early Blondie. The overall result is pretty similar to the under appreciated Italian band, Confusional Quartet. This CD is a must-have for both old fans and those interested in underground punk history.

For the last 30 years, Controlled Bleeding has been one of America's most-overlooked but influential outfits in many different genres. Early recordings like KNEES AND BONES pioneered head-crushing audio experiments; in the late '80s, the SONGS FROM THE GRINDING WALL EP came out on Wax Trax!, America's premier industrial label at the time. Then there was the early '90s metal/noise hybrid released under the band name Skin Chamber, and later, ambient works on labels like Soleilmoon and Tone Casualties found the band in different, albeit just as dark, territory.

Despite all this activity -- probably because of the band's slew of releases on European labels over the years -- few Americans seemed to realize that Controlled Bleeding is from Long Island, New York!

BEFORE THE QUIET proves once and for all that Controlled Bleeding is an AMERICAN group. These early (late '70s/early '80s) tracks showcase the ROCK band that existed previous to recordings like KNEES AND BONES. Driven by Paul Lemos' dissonant guitar, these rare (some live at CBGBs) cuts are almost exclusively instrumental, but manage to maintain interest through out. Faves include the punky and joyous "Wall of China Love Letters" and "Testing," which gives a brief insight into some of Joe Papa's scat vocals found with the Breastfed Yak project. BEFORE THE QUIET is a welcome insight into a chronically underappreciated band that's almost impossible to pin down.

Paul Lemos is both a life advisor and friend to me. I have always looked to him for help starting in High School, then in college, and even in my marraige this man was able to give me honest and well thought out advice. His recent work is mostly rereleased material. It never gets old, I love it and can never get enough! I look foward every year to buying his work.

Controlled Bleeding is a quirky project. Everything from the noise of Knees and Bones to the ambience of The Poisoner to the pseudo-goth-noise of Trudge. Before The Quiet brings yet another level of change. This is what would happen if the organ on loan from the B-52's got caught up The Cure circa 1978, with some Warsaw-era Joy Division. This is not new-wave or no-wave or should be included in the same sentence as waves. Paul Lemos takes the pre-punk, proto-goth of creepiness and aggressive music and makes it his own. The only REAL way anyone can explain what this sounds like is to let the music speak for itself, so I'd advise you check out the samples before buying. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it sure is an interesting way to spend an hour or so.