Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thirsty Ear
• ASIN: B000006AXS
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,206 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Robert Wyatt's 1974 masterpiece Rock Bottom is among the most layered, lovely, and luscious pop records ever as well as a testament to survival. As Wyatt explains in the notes, "The night before the new group was to have its first rehearsal, I fell from a fourth floor window and broke my spine." Produced by Nick Mason, the cream of England's vital prog-rock scene contributed their most subtle, least-wanky efforts for their dear friend's solo recording. Ivor Cutler, Fred Frith, Hugh Hopper, and Mike Oldfield shine alongside ethereal singer/songwriter/keyboardist/percussionist Wyatt. The most touching of these playful drone-pop songs appear to detail Wyatt's relationship with his wife/collaborator, Alfreda Benge. "Your lunacy fits neatly with my own," he sings. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
2008 digitally remastered edition of this original 1974 album from the beloved British singer/songwriter and former member of Soft Machine. Wyatt's releases come from one of the most distinguished, visionary, influential and singular catalogs in contemporary music. Five tracks. Domino. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT YOU GO THROUGH FOR ART, December 25, 2002

By	Kerry Leimer (Makawao, Hawaii United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm hesitant to write anything about this album. It is too good and things that are too good typically transcend language.

So, for what it's worth, I have harbored a theory for many years which consists of the following. If a capable artist is able to allow his or her work to become completely subjective that artist will touch upon something completely objective. That is to say, the artist will come to terms with something that is true to almost every human being.

If you were born near the middle of the 20th century somewhere in the western world, "Rock Bottom" will contain something important for you. Less politicized than most of Wyatt's work, (his outwardly-directed commentary here feels more sociological and personal: "I fight with the handle of my little brown broom...I pull out the wires of the telly-phone...I hurt in the head and I hurt in the aching bone...) "Rock Bottom" is musically and lyrically a work of deeply personal conviction that more than makes up for the immature indulgences of "End of an Ear". In fact, you are forced to wonder if this music would have ever existed had Wyatt not lost the use of his legs in what amounts to a needless, unfortunate accident. While the new cover does the original a bit of disservice -- things do not go swimmingly on this record -- the songs remain the same. Which is to say, the songs can be uplifting and remarkably painful all at once.

There's no reason to guess about what Wyatt came through to arrive at this point. He was an immensely gifted drummer and with "Rock Bottom" he emerges as an immensely gifted writer. I have heard no other record that is filled with such melancholy and determination and self-awareness. Each listening, no matter how many years intervene, provides the listener with a new sense of humility and gratitude. "Rock Bottom" is a singular document in music and in life. If you find yourself in need of something to believe in, try this.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What the Sirens Sung, August 22, 2001

By	Russell Richardson (NYNYUSA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you haven't heard this album, just set aside forty minutes, buy it and listen. Aside from Wyatt's own personal tragedy associated with the record, there is a quality of awake (as opposed to drowsy) magic which makes ROCK BOTTOM probably the greatest record released under the umbrella of pop/rock. Side one on the old vinyl is simply faultless - the first three tracks blend into one, with such beautiful melodies tears come to the eyes. And the singing, often wordless, reaches places that only the most authentic blues singers or flamenco artists reach. Yes, it is that good. It let us all see that you could be white, British and go 'out there'. As a result, this record quietly changed the face of British music for ever. Via punk, new wave and the still ongoing work of hundreds of musicians that make up British music's wealth. The album also shows why snobbism is wrong in music. All the players here were respected jazzy musicians, but none had contempt for pop music or melody. The results are stunning. You can also check out RW version of the Monkees 'I'm A Believer' if you don't believe how un-snobby he was and is. And, yes, it rocks, as the title would suggest. Totally unique, weird, lovely and as deep as the sirens' song, this is the best album to leave England's shores bar none, including Sgt Pepper (which it's not that far from in beauty) and its real secret - despite the well-known personal gloom - is its utter free flying joy. As a footnote, Wyatt is still going strong, producing some of his best work 25 years after Rock Bottom. That's the strength of his spirit - lesser mortals would have given up after such a milestone. That he is still 'obscure' is one of the mysteries of the modern age - this is also one of the most enjoyable albums ever made. Do I sound convinced?

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lunar, May 14, 2000

By	"undeletablearchive" (Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Rock Bottom: Bottom of the sea. Rock Bottom: Bottom of rock music. Rock Bottom: Depressed - nowhere lower to go. Rock Bottom: Paralysed from the waist downwards.

Rock Bottom was made after Robert lost the use of his legs. It has a dark, subaqeous quietude about it; like crawling across the seabed, slowed down by the weight of water. But the urge for anaesthesia is counterbalanced by a blissed-out, oceanic feel. The songs (if we can call them that) all traverse this contradiction: elated, out-of-body; but simultaneously in a state of traumatic aftershock.

This is a beautiful and harrowing record. Like all Robert's best work, it faces intense emotional issues with innocence; even equanimity. That is what makes it so heartbreaking. `Rock Bottom' is desperate, but it has a childlike hopefulness. Worked up in Venice, overlooking the lagoon, its unique sonorities are largely rendered on a toy keyboard bought by Alfreda, Robert's wife. I guess late at night Robert would look at the water, lit by moonlight. He would start to dream. The dreams went into his keyboard. A record came out of all this; and it's one of the five best of all time.