Customer Reviews

Live From A Shark Cage

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was stunned and amazed to catch part of "Plastic Energy Man" in a television commercial recently. It's subtle but it's there.

My first encounter with Papa M was at a Stereolab show in December 1999...never heard of 'em, wasn't paying attention...until this song that had been going on and on caught my attention. I went in to get a closer look and stood transfixed for the remainder of their set. What I'd heard was "I Am Not Lonely With Cricket" which is a fifteen minute minimalist masterpiece (it takes up the entirety of the third side of the LP). I bought this record at the show and listened to it that night in a drunken haze, and have loved it ever since.

This is wonderful, mostly instrumental indie-rock in the vein of Tortoise and Rachel's, deserving of a close listen but not bad as a backdrop to conversation, either. Never before has the electric guitar been treated so carefully and gently, as can be heard in the opening and closing "Arundel," which has a thick, metallic sound but still manages to work as a lullaby. Various electronic sounds weave in and out of the different guitar textures, not to mention the vocals of "Drunken Spree" and some answering machine messages, among other things.

Beautiful and original sounds abound throughout, proving there is still life to guitar music. No- it isn't rock'n'roll- but it's much more organic than the digital-domain ambient music that's so popular with the kids these days...anyway, listen and enjoy...there's a lot to like here.

Papa M is the latest musical project of the brilliant David Pajo (ex- of Tortoise, Slint, The For Carnation etc.)-- his last project was called Aerial M, which also recorded an incredible album. If non-pretentious, non-avant garde guitar soundscapes are your thing, definitely check out "Live from a Shark Cage." I would most certainly recommend this record to Mogwai fans as well-- Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite counts Pajo among his heroes. As for the next incarnation of the M project, I vote for Auntie M.

David Pajo has done it again. Recalls his finer moments with Tortoise and various Palace incarnations while establishing his own identity. Instruments hum and pulse like a river beneath a frozen sheet of ice. Unlike Tortoise, which sometimes seems to get a bit lost before they reach their destination, these songs amble along yet always have a thread to keep stragglers from getting lost. The mellifluous sounds here should please any fan of Tortoise, Can or Faust. The lonely, spacious sounds here are what you SHOULD listen to whilst driving on a lonely stretch of road during a gentle rainstorm when the entire world is gray and appears through your windshield to be melting away, leaving just you and the music. Or it might be the music you possibly COULD hear while gliding through the clouds over the African savannah; the music trickling down from heaven, if such a place exists. A gentle, blissful journey. If you need further proof, listen to tracks two through four.

As soon as you put this one in your discman, you know it's not in a hurry to get anywhere. But for that very reason, it has become one of my favorites. It seems that any CD I immediately fall in love with tends to get old almost as fast. I was not immediately impressed with any track. So what's it all about? Mostly the basics, guitar, bass, and drums. Halfway through the cd you might start to think it's all sounding the same but that's not a bad thing! How many bands (and even some Dave Pajo stuff) throw in a bunch of extra garbage and "found sounds" just for the sole purpopse of making a song start differently from the last track? Sure, they throw in some non-traditional sounds here and there but they always lend something positive to the song instead of making you look behind your back because you think a truck is backing up. What you get here is honest music; guitar chords that make you want to read a music theory book. Drums that make you listen intently for every little hi-hat pulse. Every little reverb and echo takes me inside the studio, wondering if the floors were made of wood or carpet. Beautiful music.

M is not a band; it is a series of different incarnations. As Bill Frissel has done with Praxis, David Pajo now leads the cycle known simply as "M". Anyone who was lucky enough to see David on tour this past year, knows what to expect; Beautiful repetition at it's very best, waves of sounds that go nowhere but seem to take you somewhere. Those who enjoyed the Aerial recordings will definitely find delight in this record. There is nothing more to say about this album.

This album is upbeat, and pleasant to listen to. It is also subtle, dark, and heavy.

This was made during the phase/craze of going to thrift stores, finding answering machines, removing the micro cassette, and incorporating the incoming messages into one's song. You will not hear a better example than track 7 on this album.

You've got the son, and daughter, calling about the insurance claims and table saw. You've got the pastor of the church, calling to check in. The hospital. You've got the irate wife/girlfriend calling and making weird threats, about money and territory. Mostly, you've got his best friend, calling to invite him for a cup of coffee, unflinching and undeterred at never being called back.

It's sad, and fatal, to hear the voice mails he never received. The unending love of those who kept calling him, for whatever reason. "Hey George, this is Jimmy, well, give me a call when you get a chance, we'll go, and have a cup of coffee". "Hey George, are you there?" "You're little game is up George, I'd watch your step now". (the mistress)

Mostly, it's creepy to hear these voice mails painting a picture of a guy who is dead, set to beautiful music, wondering about the guy and his life, what he did all day, and how he passed.

But the tone and sincerity of those calling him, who don't know yet, brings me to tears every time.
Axel

Came to this album via a review of an album by a band named Cathode. The reviewer mentioned the term Postrock -- hadn't heard the term before, but I liked the Cathode album enough to look further.

Brilliant, primarily instrumental, layered works of sound. Some long, some short. Reminds me here of Metheny's performance of Electric Counterpoint, there of the Doors' The End (I'm refering to Drunken Spree, which is brilliant and appreciates some volume), and then again here of something more conceptual that Radiohead might do for the hell of it or even Laurie Anderson if she played more guitar. ;-)

If I remember correctly, I think one reviewer of the album elsewhere said it sounded like someone noodling around with recording equipment at home. In that review it seemed to be mentioned as perhaps a weak point of the album. For me, that is precisly why I find it so intriguing and enjoyable time and time again. Experimental yet complete.

This is, simply put-one of the most incredible albums ever made. I first heard papa m when opening for stereolab. From the first notes of their set I stood transfixed, stunned, amazed, at the beatuy and simpicity of their music. David Pajo (who wrote and performed all the parts on this Cd) is truely a genius, one of the most original and intelligent guitar players in any style of music. Also check out the s/t Ariel M album, sort of a little brother to this album....Btw-this IS NOT a live album.

Just pleasant, that's all I need to say about this album. Contenting and amazing. These songs are just wonderful.

As much as I wanted to believe that this was "the next pink moon," as one reviewer put it, this album is no more than a pleasant experiment. It is really just repetitive and slightly bland. However, it's good background music, and does contain some rich qualities. Both Arundels are a pleasure to listen to, and I Am Not Lonely With Cricket is a standout. I just don't think this album deserves the insane praise I'm reading here. It's an accomplishment, and David Pajo should be proud, but it's no Pink Moon or Music For Egon Schiele. Pick up a Rachel's or Pullman album over this one. I've heard Papa M's later "Whatever, Mortal," and it sounds a lot better than this. The song "London Homesick Blues" is far more involving than anything you'll find here. I think vocals would really help this album out. Don't get me wrong, Mogwai is one of my favorite bands and are famous for little or no vocals, but they have the talent and instrumental balls (for lack of a better term) to make their music lush, interesting, and moving. It's hard to distinguish between Papa M's songs. This album is good if you want music to paint your kitchen to, but there are better uses for your money. And pick up "Whatever, Mortal."