Not Adam

Foetus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Birdman
• ASIN: B0006GMHAE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,709 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just gets Better, December 3, 2004

By 

Streptile "streptile" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Adam (Audio CD)

It's truly amazing that there is an artist out there whose work gets better with every release. We're all so used to recording artists writing and releasing records well past their primes, and it's kind of sad to behold. But Jim Thirlwell AKA Foetus improves with each record, and this new, cool, Simon-and-Garfunkel-in-space (with a great rhythm section) EP is no exception. Its just so startlingly original and fun to listen to! For anyone who wonders where all the great new music is, buy this EP and find out.

4.0 out of 5 stars A tantalizing taste..., December 1, 2004

By 

William Pasour (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Not Adam (Audio CD)

What we've got here is four tracks, one of which is straight off the upcoming album, two of which are remixes from the upcoming album, and one that's exclusive to this EP.

The first track, (not adam)is the only song completely intact from the upcoming album, "Love," which is due out in April, I believe. Right off the bat, (not adam) features the last instrument I'd ever expect to hear in a Foetus song - a harpsichord. It is accompanied by more traditional Foetus instruments - strings, bass, vaguely metallic groanings, and complete percussion. I guess this is ostensibly the first single from the album, and, though it hardly sounds as mainstream as Verklemmt or even The Need Machine, it is incredibly catchy, and I've found myself humming its tune as I go about my day.

The second track, a remix of the as-yet-unreleased "Miracle" by Jay Wasco is really crazy. It's hard to judge how well this represents the album version of the track, but what's here is definitely compelling in its own right. Using much of the same instrumentation as (not adam), it achieves a much different feel, sounding at times like King Crimson circa 21st Century Schizoid Man or Indicipline, with a calming bridge that contrasts beautifully with the chaos of the rest of the song. Definitely an awesome song.

The third track, the EP exclusive, is called "Not In Yr Hands," and features vocal harmonies similar to those used in "Cirrhosis of the Heart" and "First and Last and Always." But Thirwell is certainly not repeating himself here - this actually sounds like a cross between "Cirrhosis" and "Suspect" from Flow, and has a bridge that feels like it's out of the climax of some old movie, where the hero and his doting lady embrace before the hero heads to certain doom... This is a great song through and through, and has only gotten better with each listen. Another one that gets stuck in your head, I'm starting to think that Thirwell has decided to pay more attention to subtle melodies with his current crop of songs. The fact that the upcoming album is called "Love" would seem to corroborate that.

The final song, "Time Machines On" (what an awesome title!) is remixed by Ipecac recording artist the End, and features several auditory treats - the sound of motors revving, harps, the sound of birds tweeting that dissolves into the sound of change tinkling - all based over an unrelenting rhythm that will knock your socks off. Short but sweet, and I really can't wait to hear the original version of this song.

While I certainly am very impressed with this EP, I do have a couple minor gripes. Well, basically one minor gripe. One of my biggest problems with Gash was that the vocals were so low in the mix you couldn't tell what the man was saying. While the problem is not so bad on this EP, it is still there. I didn't include any lyrics in this review because I was so uncertain of just what he was saying at certain points. But a lyrics sheet would remedy this problem mostly, and other than that it really is a great taste.

As a side note, am I the only one who thinks it's incredibly hilarious that Amazon suggests that customers interested in Foetus might also be interested in pregnancy calenders?