Part Two: The Endless Not (Special Limited Edition) [Limited Edition, Special Edition]

Throbbing Gristle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition, Special Edition
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000NIIUWY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,557 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vow of Silence

2. Rabbit Snare

3. Separated

4. Almost A Kiss

5. Greasy Spoon

6. Lyre Liar

7. Above The Below

8. Endless Not

9. The Worm Waits Its Turn

10. After The Fall

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Here Now But The Recordings, April 5, 2007

By 

Geezerglide (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Part Two. The Endless Not (Audio CD)

When I was first contacted about a new T.G. album, my first impulse was to ignore it, so as to not sully the (THEE?!) memories of a truly great and influential group. Would they go "Old School", or try to be "modern" - for "the kids"? Would these artists of "advanced age" (I am among that number, so I can say that!) embarrass themselves by trying to regain the aggression of their youth? My curiosity got the best of me, and within a couple of hours I couldn't resist the urge to download it.

It's 2007 and T.G. have released a great album, holding it's own amongst the first four. In fact they never missed a beat. They move forward, using modern technology, not attempting to ape 1980, and yet still sounding like Throbbing Gristle. They all bring to the table their differing personalities and talents. Gen is still a writer capable of transcending and has a command of his voice, messing with your ear hole at will. Chris Carter has composed layers of subtle and amazing sounds and rhythm that reveal themselves more upon each listen. The washes and stabs of noise and effects that (I'm assuming) Cosey and Peter add are stunning, and take the music to that next level. There is no pose here, no signs of cashing in, and no compromise evident. This Gristle is Throbbing without need of Viagra.

I'll tell you that when I've attempted to listen to the old T.G. music over the years, dragging out the vinyl, buying the CD re-issues, etc., I have been disappointed. The world has changed, I had changed and those albums just didn't move me anymore. So much of their philosophy and modus operandi has been co-opted, used and diluted through the years, but as it turns out, these four people can still get together and make a racket that stops me dead in my tracks.

I just ordered the Part Two: The Endless Not (Special Limited Edition), and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm having a hard time trying to talk myself out tracking down the other three totems! I'm a 46 year-old "soccer dad" and goofy for T.G. again. ...The old man smiled...

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TG Reborn, April 4, 2007

By 

J. Brady (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Part Two. The Endless Not (Audio CD)

Fresh and familiar all at the same time, Part Two -the Endless Not is TG firing on all cylinders. Its diversity reminds me of Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. The clattering, machine-like noise you'd expect ( the opening Vow of Silence) sits along side droning, atonal dirges with P. Orridge's trademark vocals (Lyre Liar ). Almost a Kiss is *almost* a love song, done TG-style, with some of the most passionate vocals Orridge has ever laid on tape - its brutal honesty is quite moving. There are quieter, ambient, almost symphonic moments ( After the Fall ). And yes, there is a song here ( Rabbit Snare ) that features gently brushed snares, jazz-like stabs of dissonant piano and (gasp!) touches of solo organ. The Worm Waits its Turn is the most modern sounding tune here - strip away the spoken word vocals, and its funkiness actually approaches conventionality. Make no mistake, though. Despite a very few moments that flirt with the mainstream, this ranks with some of the most savage and most confrontational work this band has ever recorded. A fine return for Throbbing Gristle. Very highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A synthesis of their respective histories, June 20, 2007

By 

The Pitiful Anonymous "Mazaro" (the Acres of Skin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Part Two. The Endless Not (Audio CD)

I am glad to say that TG's comeback album, The Endless Not, is absolutely awesome. There is little new ground covered here, but the overall quality and consistency of the album makes that overlookable. Really, the album moves between moments reminiscient of the Coil discography and the old TG discography. This means that finally, the full effect of some the fundamental TG concepts can be felt... they sound better than ever here, fully realized with modern technology.

Rather than create an album of incredible diversity and experimentation like "D.O.A", TG focused on one of the types of songs that they did best... rhythmic, dense walls of sound. However, there's a noticably increased focused on melodies and musicality, which weave in and out of the 'found sound' arrangements. Genesis' vocals are often melodic. I'll address some of the individual tracks:

Opener "Vow of Silence" is the traditional, subtle, pulse-like rhythm with spliced, mulilated samples and vocals overlayed. "Greasy Spoon" and "Lyre Lyre" follow this sort of template as well.

The slow jazz of "Rabbit Snare" leans clearly in the Coil direction, and even includes Genesis singing some very John Balance-esque lyrics ("Why are you scared?") to a very John Balance-esque melody. This track also has the only appearance of Cosey's familiar deranged cornet playing.

"The Worm Waits Its Turn" sounds more like a Pigface track than TG in the latter half. It is dominated by a straightforward beat and Genesis' expressive spoken word.

"Separated" and "Above the Below" are the freshest feeling tracks, and are Chris Carter's and Cosey's solo tracks respectively (each member has a solo track, like they did on "D.O.A"). They likely only feel new to me because I haven't heard any of their work (much of which was together) since the break up of TG. The style of synth and guitar work the two used to contribute to TG is noticably missing from The Endless Not, and it would seem they have both moved into other more electronic areas. Both tracks are quite subdued and atmospheric.

While the song structures may not vary much, the overall range of sounds present on The Endless Not is huge. And much like Coil, the mixing and production is absolutely incredible. It sounds great on speakers, and even better on headphones.

In conclusion, TG has returned and delivered possibly the most consistent and enjoyable album of their career, but not even close to the most adventurous.