Customer Reviews

Glenn Branca: Lesson No. 1

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

first, you should know that there is also a "bonus quicktime video track" on the cd. or maybe it's not on all copies. anyway, if you're not familiar with branca, pop the disc into your computer as soon as possible. it's a 16 and a half minute live performance of "symphony no. 5" conducted by branca. what follows is some of the most exhuberant conducting you will ever see. he punches, air guitars, and headbangs the rhythms to an equally spirited orchestra of guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, and more. it should be shown to classical music students and they should be subsequently given the choice of whether or not to continue their studies. most would be completely turned off by the "pointless theatrics" and overall lack of musical knowledge/skill. a few, though, would be amazed as they were being exposed to the world of expression and art, as opposed to playing the music exactly the way the dead genious wants you to.
"lesson no. 1 for electric guitar" is relatively calm and short and is completely tonal and consonant.
"dissonance" is the opposite. it's harsh and grating (quite an experience at full volume on headphones). it also features a sledgehammerist, which is definitely worth noting.
"bad smells" is an epic that ranges from tranquil to percussive attacks reminiscent of lydia lunch's "teenage jesus and the jerks". it features thurston moore and lee ranaldo from sonic youth. that's worth mentioning because they were the reason i found out about glenn branca. actually, the entire album doesn't seem too far off from sonic youth's self-titled debut album, which is a tremendous positive.

somebody wunss sed "my gittar wonz tah kill yo mama" and if gittarrs could kill (which they can do in reality)this is wutt they soond likk

The multi-genre influential respect is evident, but still these churning numbers evoke little more than inspired exercise at best.