Any Henry Cow fans here?

ZOMG they iz bettr than ze Magma u n00b!

I need to explore them more. I have Unrest and can definitely hear the talent. Ruins I can easily say is a flawless work of art. However, the album as a whole does have it problems, but form what I gather thats a common complaint.

I plan on moving onto Western Culture next, but for some reason I've gone a year since getting Unrest and have still not purchased it.

NaturalScience wrote: As you've surmised, Unrest is divided such that the first half is compositions and the second is very free-form avant-garde works.  Some people really think they missed the mark doing that second part, in fact I think Hugues gave the album two stars, which I would judge to be a little too harsh.  Check out Leg End, I think that's a bloody brilliant album myself.

Sums up my review of the album in 2 lines.

I'll be doing some used cd hunting after school comes to a close.

Equality 7-2521 wrote: NaturalScience wrote: As you've surmised, Unrest is divided such that the first half is compositions and the second is very free-form avant-garde works.  Some people really think they missed the mark doing that second part, in fact I think Hugues gave the album two stars, which I would judge to be a little too harsh.  Check out Leg End, I think that's a bloody brilliant album myself. Sums up my review of the album in 2 lines. I'll be doing some used cd hunting after school comes to a close.

I honestly don't know what I would rate Unrest to be, though it would certainly be more than two stars and I wouldn't label it a "stinker" - for me "Half Asleep, Half Awake" and "Ruins" alone would get me to three stars.  Not sure I could get all the way up to four stars, it might be sort of a 3.5.  Whereas Leg End is an easy four star and I could see my way to possibly giving it 5.

edit:  I think I'm starting to agree with Pnoom about half-star ratings...but I'm not here to stir up that hornet's nest, so no more comment about the matter from me.


Edited by NaturalScience - May 08 2008 at 12:40

All of Henry Cow's albums are extraordinarily brilliant.

I think WESTERN CULTURE is easily the best overall intro to Henry Cow for anyone who is already comfortable with more muscular prog like some of that from King Crimson (RED comes immediately to mind), and many of the RIO groups.  If one is coming from generally gentler climes, however (like Yes or Hatfield or Gentle Giant, I suppose), then LEG-END would probably be a better entrance point.

Their weakest is their joint effort with Slapp Happy "Casablanca Moon", although I've yet to hear the original version with Faust (now called Noom Acnalbasac), which I do have on CD.

Oh and Desperate Straights is weaker too.  I've heard that one, Lappy.

I will I will!  I even have Slapp Happy's debut.


Edited by James - May 08 2008 at 13:52

James wrote: Oh and Desperate Straights is weaker too.  I've heard that one, Lappy. I will I will!  I even have Slapp Happy's debut.

Just ordered all three Art Bears records (that should put a smile on laplace's face )

I don't know, Pnoom, I wasn't thrilled with Desperate Straights.  I would place In Praise of Learning above it.