Black Noise

FM

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: One Way Records Inc
• ASIN: B000002R8J
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #258,002 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Remastered 1993 reissue on One Way of the second album by this hard-edged prog rock trio, often compared to Rush. The most noteworthy of their three popular albums, 'Black Noise' was originally released on Passport in 1979. Available on CD for the first time, it also features Nash The Slash on violin, plus the original cover art & all eight original tracks, including 'Phasors On Stun' & 'Dialing For Dharma'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More great progressive rock, November 12, 2001

By	BENJAMIN MILER (Eugene, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

FM was one of the few Canadian prog band people seem to know (other than Rush and Saga). There are a few other Canadian prog bands I know of like Symphonic Slam, Spirit of Christmas, and Robert Connolly, but much of the great Canadian prog I know of is from Quebec, like Pollen, Et Cetera, Harmonium, Sloche, Maneige, Opus 5 and the likes. FM often had a futuristic, hi-tech sound to them. You will never mistake their music for Gentle Giant, this is all fairly accessible stuff. Cameron Hawkins tended to use great synths like the Minimoog and the Elka Rhapsody. "One O'Clock Tomorrow" and "Journey" are nothing short of amazing, very energetic and exciting. "Journey", for some odd reason, reminds me of Saga, it bear an odd resemblance to "On the Loose" from Worlds Apart, although that song and album did not appear until another 4 or so years later. The instrumental "Dialing For Dharma" is a great spacy cut with violin work from Nash the Slash. "Aldabaran" has some rather commercial tendencies, but I guess that can't be too surprising, all the FM albums (aside from Direct to Disc) has some commercial inclinations (but of course, their mid '80s reunion effort, Con-Test is supposedly full-on commercial, which I can't be too surprised as that was the era of Phil Collins' No Jacket Required and Genesis' Invisible Touch). The title track is by far the most progressive cut on the album, I particularly love the spacy string synths in the middle.

To get the confusion about the release of Black Noise straight: CBC first issued this album in 1977, unfortunately it was never released in record stores, but rather through mail order. Only 500 copies made so the original Black Noise is probably the rarest FM item (along with their following album, Direct to Disc aka Headroom). The original Black Noise features a totally different cover. Then in 1978, the album finally got a full release on Visa Records in the United States with a new cover (the cover everyone is most familiar with), and Passport Records in Canada. Of course it's this LP pressing that's so common as dirt you can easily find a copy for next to nothing (it also helped that it became a cut-out bin staple, as was so many other titles on Passport Records). But in case you no longer own a turntable, it's nice to see this album reissued on CD.

I keep hearing FM being compared to Rush. Yes they did tour with them, but don't sound much like them, and they were a trio. FM had no heavy metal tendencies, much more emphasis on synthesizers (although synths have been used on Rush albums as far back as 2112, it didn't totally dominate their sound until after 1981), and Cameron Hawkins vocals sound nothing like Geddy Lee.

If you like Black Noise, you really need Direct to Disc, their 1978 followup (and the one that premiered Ben Mink), unfortunately you can only get that as a rare LP, as there are no master tapes, and acetates are long missing. That album shows a more experimental side of the band with less of the commercial tendencies. The far easier to get Surveillence is also good, but approach City of Fear with caution, as it's more commercial than what they did before (although oddly the Mellotron pops up on a couple pieces).

Well maybe not the greatest progressive rock album, Black Noise is still a great album and worthy of your collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Noise, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

If your here, you dig FM! We saw FM live back in the late 70's at a bar in Schaumburg (Il), and they didn't let us down. Extremely talented Musicians in every right. Cameron Hawkins had each hand on a seperate keyboards, while his feet were kicking the Bass pedals. Ofcourse he was singing lead as well. Can't take anything away from Nash or Martin either. Nash's playing takes the Mandolin into new realms and Martin Dellers druming is flawless. All three gents combine their talents well. Back to earth and a review of the album. Whether listening to this music through your system (on 10!) or through headphones, Black Noise is a masterpiece. Personally (and this is MY review), I never want 'Phasors on stun' to end. Very powerful! 'Dialing for Dharma' is another jamming piece (especially in the headphones). Mellowing it out (a bit) is 'Aldebaran'. Beautiful, melodic....and, once again, Powerful! Finally, the title tune itself 'Black Noise' brings the disc to an end, but not before displaying yet another epic production. This is FM's best, though if your a die-hard, you realize this already (BUT....we all know their remianing disc's are excellent as well).

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely not Noise, January 27, 2002

By	Michael Courtney "exiled01" (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What can you say about a three piece band that doesn't feature a guitarist? I used to believe, until 1978, that it was impossible for a group to sound good without one. Well, two groups proved me wrong in the 70's, FM and UK. Funny, they both have two letters for names. Why this wasn't huge I will never know. "Journey" is about as pop-hit as a song can sound. Cameron Hawkins' vocals are stupendous, as are his ability to play multiple keyboards, bass, taurus pedals and more. Not to underwrite the rest of the band, because Martin Dellar is an excellent drummer and Nash plays electric violin and mandolin without compare, other than Eddie Jobson from UK.

I bought this album originally because of "Phasors on Stun". I figured that title and several of the others led to these guys being trekies, so, I would check it out. They blew me away! The sound on each track is full and hypnotical. Take a trip to "Aldebaran". Go "Dialing for Dharma". Witness the "Slaughter in Robot Village". The music on this disc is stunning. You will be amazed at the intensity at which these three musicians play. The only warning is be aware this is not main-stream music, with the exception of "Journey". Give your ears a treat; try the best of FM on Black Noise. I say buy it!