MATCHING MOLE

Actually, 3.5 stars. Just a tad better than good, but compared to National Health, Caravan and Hatfield and the North it doesn't rate as high to me. It boils down to too much Wyatt, not enough band, (I hear that the second album is more band collabrative). Now, down to brass tacks, the album starts out in a traditional English Canterbury way, 'Oh Caroline' has that whimsical sound you just love about this style of music, and Robert Wyatt's voice fits it perfect. It's almost like a lo/fi song you'd hear nowadays. Perfect opening! 'Instant Pussy' and later on 'Beer as in Braindeer' are just middling doodles, there's not really anything that you can latch onto. 'Signed Curtain' has Wyatt singing, or should I say mumble, kinda like a bad Flaming Lips song. From the opening keyboard twinkling, 'Part of the Dance' turns into a classic Canterbury/Jazz blowout. Awesome! 'Instant Kitten' is another great track that reminds me of Caravan's freakouts thanks to David Sinclairs signature organ work. Another classic! 'Dedicated to Hugh...' has it's moments, mainly Wyatt's drumming and Phil Miller's guitar soloing, but doesn't hold a candle to the prevoius two. The album ends with a Melotron solo, (first and only in the canon of Canterbury?) that sounds very nice and mellow. Overall, a very good Canterbury album that just misses the mark for me.