1001° CENTIGRADES [AKA: 2]

While I may understand very little of what could draw a troubled individual to choose this sort of art for their own sense of personal self-expression, I have come to the distinct conclusion that this incarnation of the band were the most inherently embedded within their respective decade (the wonderful 1970's as they were). To be quite frank (as opposed to being quite Linda or William), the debut album wasn't exactly the Magma that history has come to know and revere (or flee from in disgust). It was a more structurally chaotic, jazz-fusion album than anything else, which if you study up on the etymology of the group, that is a stretch from the defining merits of 'Zeuhl', which is what this transitional album is residing within.

Yes, the jazz fusion element is there, and so is the burgeoning, psychotic space opera, but what you get now is a more prominent vocalization. This is what could possibly turn people off from the group. It's akin to frantic, incomprehensible German military chanting, which happens to be flowing and blowing all over the sidelong epic 'Riah Sahilataahk'. Oh, I predict these titles will give me some form of terminal cancer.

I call 1001 Centigrades a transitional album for a few quite pertinent reasons. I wouldn't just spout nonsense for the sake of padding a review, would I? Never! So yes, this is an album that suffers due to the set of changes which altered the form of the original cast of members. The album is much darker, more sludge-oriented, and less diverse. Its half as long, too, so that might explain things. Strangely enough, the new alterations leave the songs to be rather boring. The melodies aren't half as energetic or complex, tending t lend themselves to the likes of a drug- addled jam session that just so happened to accidentally be recorded in the studio. The issue is alleviated after side one, at least minimally. 'Iss Lansei Doia' is more of a focused, cool jazz assault than it is anything else. The bass guitarist gets a deal of frontline time, which is just one more reason to appreciate the group. The vocals, though, are too off-putting for me to rate Centigrades on the same level as the debut.

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