TALKER

In 1998 U.S. Maple was in tours, but also changed it label to Drag City at least partly from the influence of their former producer Jim O`Rourke. But Jim didn't produce their next album in 1999, it was Michael Gira, the leader of the post-industrial rock band Swans. Anyway he's influence wasn't as big as I thought, this album is sounding still very organic and live, as bands two earlier albums. It had said to be darker and sparser comparing their earlier records. Well those earlier are not also very cheerful albums, but I think this is all the way quieter album. I don't think this album also was a huge seller when it came, but anyway I found much more reviews from it in the internet than from the second album.

'Bumbs & Guys' start album with tickling, quiet guitars. But somewhere in the middle comes hard drum beats and guitars also change wilder and Al starts he's very recognizable vocals. Next 'Running From Kabob' starts also quiet and stays that way. 'Go To Bruises' is the first one with clear Beefheart-influences in all instruments. 'More Horror' starts with slow marching style drums with very gloomy guitars, but has noisy & horrified parts. Next 'Apollo, Don't You Crust' has same kind of structure. 'Breeze, It's Your High Schools', 'Stupid Indoors' & 'Untitled' have all quite stormy beginnigs, but really great, calm endings. Last 'So Long Bonus' is the greatest piece in this album including again lots of Beefheart-influences in whole bands playing.

I liked this album much more than their second album, but on the other hand it didn't rise in the level of first album. All the way this album is much more listeneable than the second one, but it also lacks a little bit catchy songs. More listenings will do good and I abslolutely will listen this more! This is higly recommended to those, who want to listen same kind of music that's in the Beefhearts Trout, Lick My Decals, Doc & Ice Cream, although this will not rise into level of those.