Customer Reviews

Part Two. The Endless Not

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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...

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.

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.

The band has changed immensely in the long span between working together. From what I'd gathered, I thought they hated each other and were totally done working together. But that's all personal aside stuff.
Looking at the album for what it is, it's hard to find a comparison with previous TG works... a few lyrics are sung reminiscent of oldies like "Persuasion" and with the same general GP-O 'smartiness.' Some words are used a little too repetitively for my taste though, some parts come off as "needing lyrics, but we don't have any to go there."
The music is what you would expect... each person has gone off and done their own thing since TG, refined their signature style and whatnot. So this album bears four signature styles, with a TON of Peter Christopherson/ COIL-like influence. Liking Coil will help you like this album.
It's very lush for TG, not as sparse as you would think. But damn, it just sounds good. Full of quirky synth noises and processed sounds. Throbbing Gristle is good, in my opinion, as long as you can play it loudly and someone will say, "what the hell IS this?" "Almost a Kiss" is not as good as it was on TGNOW, though--- but at least it's different.

I won't go into all the details.. but pretty much all the reviewers are dead on about this record. It plays more like a Coil disc. I was honestly hoping for more of the original, more dense sound that got me into them. This is very polished at times, and jazzy. I wasn't too impressed with the TG Now, and I was hoping they would lure away from that type of processed sound. The first track is misleading (best track on the record).. I was hoping after I heard it for the rest of the album to follow suit. It turned out to get pretty mellow.. sort of a let down. Like someone else said.. Genesis seems to be at a loss for lyrics on a couple.. more so on 4. I don't enjoy his vocals as much this time around.. for its more singing. I was hoping for some more effects here and there.

Its going to grow on me, no doubt. I've been waiting for this release for a long time.. the limited edition was a let down. I got the wood version.. and it was just a stick in the cd tray. WOW, how exciting.

I was mostly interested in this album due to its connection to (the now sadly defunct) COIL, but it proved itself a great album in its own right. Slightly dark and modestly moody, it's perfect music for a dreary winter day, especially if you enjoy casual suicidal ideation.

I've been listening to TG since '79.
If you are not already a TG fan, this may NOT convince you.
It is very good, and if you are a fan, you'll want one of the totemic copies of Pt.2: T.E.Not. Very Accessible. I play it at work.

I saw and spoke with TG in London in June at the ICA performance- what an experience! I picked up my totemic copy (which they autographed) from the recording session performance..I play my non-totemic CD.
(A note, find the TG Flash 'Zig-Zag' in the snow on the mountain. Genesis P-Orridge pointed that out to me.)

...but it's quite good. It grew on me. First listen, interesting, not rubbish. Second listen, oh, very interesting, and I'd like to hear it again. Etc.

I was unable to catch them live on their reunion tour, but did see PTV3 recently. Good stuff all around from Genesis and the gang.

While not as abrasive or shocking or sonically perverse as the TG of the seventies and eighties, The Endless Not is still a great album. I was a little dissapointed at first to not find anything on this album with quite the punch of classic TG tracks like 'Discipline', 'Adrenaline', or 'Still Walking' but the tracks on The Endless Not are just as engrossing and strange as anything Tg has ever done. It may be a little more mainstream but it's no worse for it, 'Rabbit Snare', which is probably one of the most normal songs TG has ever recorded is a beautiful is a somewhat twisted jazz track, and the closing 'song' 'After The Fall' is one of TG's most beautiful songs ever.