SANG PHAT EDITOR

After getting positive reviews from their first album U.S. Maple went into tour to Europe. In that tour they also recorded a session in the famous John Peel radio show. It was 1997 when they started to record their second album. The producer was again Jim O`Rourke, who is known by the Drag City-label and also as a member of Sonic Youth. To me it sounds both these two albums are recorded live in the studio as their "soulmates" Trumans Water has done their albums. This album sounds many ways the same as their first, but they have gone into even more experimental direction.

In "Coming Back To Dammit" song starts almost like a normal song, but soon drums stop and start again one time, after that the rest song is really freeform. "Songs That Have No Making Out" has at first very stucking beat, then it changes also really freeform. In the end there are just tickling guitars. "La Click" is one of my favourites with stucking beat and very Beefheart-like guitar chord. Al is almost singing (he still has that very lung sickness style in his vocals). "Mountain Top" is really free form piece and my least favourite. "Untitled" is very short, calm piece and gives a little rest to listener. "Missouri Twist" really haven´t got any twist, it´s again very freeform. After only guitars playing it has stucking beats and asthmatic vocals. "Through With Six Six Six" is the most chaotic piece in this very chaotic album. The last "Home It´s Ok" is also my favourites from this album, it has strong hits and also some Beefheart-style guitar chords & playing.

I think in this second album they really succeeed to deconstruct the rock. But that caused it really isn´t as catchy as their first album. This is really demanding album, maybe open to me more with more listenings. Anyway I am not suprised at all I didn´t find lot of earlier reviews from this album. I have understood they changed their musical direction in their next albums and I think that was the only way to them, it´s not possible go further this way and also make intresting music. Anyway I really like to recommend this album to those who says Beefheart ´s Trout Mask is unlistenable, this album is almost too much even for me! I think it´s just good thing this is short. I was thinking to give only two stars to this, but those two really great pieces rises this to three. Anyway this is quite extraordinary piece of music.