Customer Reviews

Instrument

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, I know I've been curious. I've wanted to look behind the Fugazi curtain to hear and see what goes on when the band writes, tours and records. Fugazi's new Instrument video and soundtrack CD provide an all-access pass to the inner workings of one of today's premier bands.

I ordered both from Dischord and watched the video (A few times, I'm not ashamed to admit) before listening to the soundtrack CD, and I think that's the way to do it. The documentary, shot nonstop by Jem Cohen on tours, in the studio and at rehearsals, shows the members of Fugazi doing what they do best: making music and going to all of the places it takes them. There are several laugh out loud parts -- a well-meaning fan who incorrectly recalls Ian's days in Black Flag, while mispronouncing his name, Guy plotting the death of a Hollywood legend, Joe's futile attempt to tell everyone about his Iggy Pop dream, Brendan rigging a motel showerhead with Dial soap, a slick MuchMusic correspondent who enthusiastically mangles their lyrics...It's a feel-good flicka that leaves me wishing that Guy had a dance studio I could sign up for.

The Instrument soundtrack includes demos of songs that haven't evolved into regular album tracks & raw working 'drafts' of now-familiar songs, some of which are included in the documentary's music bed. A dream come true for any Fugazi fan.

Instrument Soundtrack is one of those rare albums that is complete from beginning to end - like one long song. The whole album is perfect and the atmosphere remains unbroken, even when left to repeat for several days at a time, which is what I usually do (in the car).

Funny, it never occurred to me that these songs were incomplete demos. I received this as a gift some years ago and didn't know anything about it at the time. Since then it's become one of my all-time favorite albums. I knew Fugazi from the 13 Songs and Repeater albums, but Instrument was actually my first to own by them. I will definitely say this is not your Fugazi starter album if you are looking for the sound that made them popular, but it may become your favorite album if, like me, you come to appreciate their phenomenal growth and evolution.

If you are a fan then you should get this. You don't need me to tell you that. This is a good record.

If you don't care about Fugazi but are interested in a unique original sound that is completely introspective and unpretentious, then you might want to give this one a try. Your money could be supporting worse efforts than this one. It's a little raw, has few vocals, and uses actual instruments as the title suggests. I hope I'm not too far out on a limb by suggesting that the term "ambient" could apply here. But forget ambient in the new age sense.

I was looking for a CD of the punk/alternative/rock genre that didn't have lyrics because music with lyrics is distracting when I'm trying to read or study. I just wanted upbeat background instrumental music. This CD is the best for that purpose. Great songs that will make studying more enjoyable.

I think anyone who has ever been in a band would agree that often the most interesting musical ideas occur in practice. There are always little snippets of things; ideas that, for various reasons, sometimes just don't work when they are attempted to be developed further into full songs. Of course, most of these "ideas" are dropped, forgotten, and the band moves on. Often, no one outside the group ever even hears these things. It usually isn't even recorded. Makes sense. Most people want fully developed songs and satisfying conclusions. Still ... there is something lost in these little tidbits. The idea for using these kind of fragments for a film soundtrack is just brilliant! Especially with a band of Fugazi's caliber. "Instrument" (the documentary) is an art film in the best sense of the term. The pure combination of images and music is absolutely beautiful. There are some traditional songs on here and some songs that evolved into other things. I just really like the instrumental bits. My favorite regular song is "Little Debbie". It just rocks like hell! I can't really make out the lyrics, but it sounds like Ian is yelling, "Starbucks! Starbucks! Oh Yeah! Do the funky strut! I'm Crazy!" (I hope that's what he's saying! Ha.) Anyway, I love this whole album. It's not your standard Fugazi record. Listen to it with fresh ears and I think you'll be rewarded.

This is the soundtrack to the spectacular VHS/DVD "Instrument" by Fugazi, it is a great album for fans. It contains early/different versions of Fugazi songs that are already on Fugazi albums. It also contains some unreleased material. These different interpratations and unreleased songs are intresting but people who aren't as involved fans might not like it that much. The quality ranges from track to track and there are only 2 (I believe) songs with vocals on them "I'm So Tired" (one of the unreleased songs) is just Ian MacKaye playing piano and singing almost a ballad-like song, to me this song alone is worth the price. But, if you aren't a devoted fan I would advise buying another Fugazi album.

Usually, it's pretty annoying when a good artist releases an EP of wanky demos, four-track experiments, and outtakes, but Fugazi pulls it off well. The tracks here are mostly enjoyable, and a few are great (the instrumental version of Guilford Fall still hits me harder than the album version). It's also fun to hear Fugazi goof off, since they can come off as overly pious and serious sometimes. My only warning is this: do not buy this if you are not already a Fugazi fan, because it will not give you a good sense of the band. Start with 13 Songs, Repeater, or Red Medicine.

Listening to this album now I can see that it is my favourite by Fugazi. The mix and match compilation of all their demos leads you down the path into appreciating their later albums. If you like Fugazi's background tracks, the music beneath the lyrics then you will love this album, watch out for 12 and 17.

After seeing Fugazi live on December 7th in Charlottesville, I was reborn. I feel like I've rediscovered them. I bought the video "Instrument" in order to relive their live shows, but enjoyed the soundtrack to it as well. It can stand alone or beside anything else they have done. The band is truly independent of the mainstream. Do-it-yourself, anti-consumerist...they aren't looking to be famous or start a trend to cash in on. So rare. They are a band looking to connect with their audience, not just make money off of them. Though I've been a fan for a while. It wasn't until just recently I "got" what they are saying. I feel they have helped me to become aware of America, & how I could change it.

How they could leave out the live version of Sweet and Low that they played in the documentary is simply beyond me. That part of the film brings me to tears. Other than that, this is a great jam album, great driving music, great all around. I prefer introducing people to fugazi with some of their other albums, but this one is definately beautiful. Slo Crostic is one of my favorite Fugazi songs ever.

I think that 'Instrument' is a great examination of the musical path that Fugazi has taken since they first formed 10-15 years ago. Not only does it have interesting, different versions of songs on albums of theirs like "Arpeggiator" (congrats Brendan! ) and "Rend It" (better than the version on "In On the Killtaker), this album also shows that the four have other musical talent, as shown by the swopping of instruments that they did on several tracks, and Ian McKaye's gentle, soothing voice (yes, you read correctly) and piano playing on the wonderful "I'm so Tired."

Anyways there is really no point in reviewing a Fugazi album other than that if you do not have this one, or others of theirs, your cd/album collection is not complete.