Customer Reviews

Raise of Eyebrows / As He Stands

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

 

 

This is, by far, the strangest album I own. I don't listen to "A raise of eyebrows" much recreationally, but it sure has it's moments. The intro of smashing glasses and deranged laughter is absolutely priceless, along with some quotables such as "There are bricks in your garden, go and throw them at your neighbors" and "Pound the microphone diaphragm. Pound your mother when you get home!" A raise of eyebrows is much more fun listening. I particularly enjoy the creativity in "A cymbal and much electronics" In which he makes an entire song from of banging on a single cymbal and messing with the tapes. The relaxing drone of "to roger waters, wherever you are," and the bouncy "mr. peugot's trot" are a delight to hear, as well as "upon composition," in which he comments on old peices of his own composition as they float, one by one, past the listener. But I have the most fun trying to figure out what on earth he is trying to convey. He talks and talks but never once says a darn thing. Let me know if you figure it out. This is one of my favorite cd's and I strongly reccomend it to anyone who enjoys the strange, the avant garde and the off-beat.

Monty Python to the tenth power all wraped into one guy. Sublime nonsense. Thankfully this CD exists. I used to have 'As He Stands' years ago on vinyl and somehow managed to loose it. A relief to find it here again in all it's creative splendor.'A Raise of Eyebrows' is a little more verbal and definitely raised mine. All and all it's wild, perplexing, funny, magical, and at times strangely beautiful. So much is going on that at times it's a bit baffling, but never boring. High points (for me): Roll 'em, Bowl 'em, Duet for Two and Street Market, On-Through-Out-Up, To Roger Waters Wherever You Are, Mr. Peugeot's Trot...oh hell, the whole thing is great! - Not for the normal set.

I bought the original 'As He Stands' LP back in the 70s, on a bit of a whim, and it became one of my favorites. It is DEFINITELY unique. Inventive and fun, occasionally pretty, but usually not. The earlier 'Raise of the Eyebrows' has it's moments too, if not quite as consistently. Still, I would like to thank whoever made the decision to release this.

Here's one for the books. Check out this 2 lp's on 1 CD import and you'll discover that the late Syd Barrett wasn't the only lunatic that Pink Floyd and Roger Waters had worked with. About as inventive and as good as his 'Land Of Mists' compilation disc (see my review). These lp's were originally put out on vinyl, 'A Raise Of Eyebrows' ('68) and 'As He Stands' ('79). Total of thirty tracks here for your off-the-wall listening pleasure. So many tunes to stop and maybe play over to think about, but just a few that I was impressed with were "We're All Going To Liverpool", the tripping "Roll 'Em, Bowl 'Em", the all-too progressive "On-Through-Out-Up", "Middle Of Whose Night" and the rocking "Concrete Line-Up". Consider Geesin to be like the Monty Python of British progressive / experimental. Honestly, after I check this CD out, I feel like I want to go out and about and do strange things. Recommended.