SUDDEN DUSK

HOWEVER were an American band from the Washington DC area who played an Avant / Canterbury style of music bringing to mind THE MUFFINS and even GENTLE GIANT at times. Man i've really enjoyed this album and find it hard to believe that i've never heard of these guys before.They need to be heard.You just have to look at all the instruments that are used to know your in for something special. Bassoon, sax, clarinet, marimba and on and on, even some instruments I haven't heard of before. And this was released in 1981 !

"It's Good Fun" opens with gentle guitar then it kicks in quickly. Some off-centred vocals too (haha). Instrumentally this is amazing. Lots of horns. More brief vocals then some ripping guitar 3 minutes in. "Hardt" is where they slow it down,it's melancholic too. "In The Aisles" features vocals and a fairly heavy sound. I like the avant guitar that grinds away before 1 1/2 minutes. "Louise Sitting In A Chair" is sax and piano led and is quite beautiful. "Beese" is a funny tune lyrically. Spoken words to open as the bees arrive and soon drown out the talking man. Ominous drums take over before vocals and a full sound kick in. Vibes and piano are prominant at times. Experimental after 3 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in.

"Sudden Dusk" is dark and eerie as sounds come and go. "Lamplight" has so much going on, just a collage of sounds. "Grandfather Was The Driver" is a funny track lyrically as well. "Trees For The Forest" is kind of spacey to start then it picks up before 2 minutes with sax, drums and other sounds. The tempo and mood continue to change. "In The Midst Of Making" opens with relaxed guitar and sax. The vocals a minute in are reserved. Waves end it.

This was a lot of fun and very impressive at the same time. Easily 4 stars.