JOURNEY THROUGH A BODY

Recorded in Rome in March 1981 'Journey through the Body' is the last studio recording by 'Throbbing Gristle' and is also their poorest. Beginning with some ear piercing blasts of high pitched hospital death bleeps it's followed up by breathy grunts and gasps through what sounds like moans and groans through a rolled up newspaper.

Recorded in 5 days, one day per body section, it's laid down without any pre-planned idea and laid directly onto tape without fuss. That damn hospital dialysis machine 'bleep' far outstays its welcome during the 15 minute opener 'Medicine'. There's enormous amounts of distorted effects on vocals throughout, creating that 'Throbbing gristle' sound you'd come to expect. unfortunately, there's very little coherence to proceedings. 15 minutes in and things finally kick off with coronet deconstruction and a cool drum machine which is the TG trademark.

It's a pity that it all sounds so end of the road. You can hear it all too clearly. The inventiveness and bile has been squeezed out of them. You can tell they just want to part ways. 'Journey Through a Body' is limp in a way I would never have thought possible from these four musicians who, despite being poles apart, sound disinterested in the outcome of this recording.

There are however some terrifying moments towards the end with female screams and bloated bass distortion. But it's really just a last 'Hurrah'. Even Chris Carter's piano outro sounds like a goodbye and farewell to all things 'Throbbing Gristle'..

Maybe they'd heard the new kids on the block 'Nurse With Wound' and gave up?