THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY

While I strongly disagree with the lyrics here I find this a very interesting album, and certainly this particular record influenced many Rio / Avant bands that would follow. I have the remastered version which was done by Bob Drake. So we have Dagmar Krause on vocals, Fred Frith on keyboards, guitars and violin. He also composed all the music. Chris Cutler on drums and percussion and he wrote all the lyrics. I prefer "Winter Songs" to this one but there's something about this that fascinates me. It's melancholic and depressing anti-pop that's filled with intrigue. It's like looking at the world through someone else's eyes and while the view is not the same as mine I want to look. To be honest i'm glad I don't see things this way.

"The Song Of Investment Capital Overseas" is a downer with vocals, piano, bass and drums standing out. "Truth" has this cool rhythm with vocals.The vocals stop but the rhythm continues with keyboards. "Freedom" has double tracked vocals with piano and drums. She screams after a minute and it goes on and on. Insane but good. "(Armed) Peace" is a reserved but chaotic track. "Civilisation" sounds so good with the powerful atmosphere and floating organ. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. Eerie stuff.

"Democracy" is bombastic with vocals."The Song Of Martyrs" features vocals,floating organ and piano early on.The tempo picks up after a minute then settles back without vocals. It picks back up after 3 minutes with vocal expresssions."Law" puts the focus on the vocals and piano. "The Song Of Monopolists" is a good one as she sings "That's the way of the world alright" over and over. "The Song Of The Dignity Of Labour Under Capital" is brighter with piano and vocals. Discordant piano late. "Albion Awake !" is pretty much the opposite of melodic and it's also somewhat haunting.

Barely 4 stars but because of it's influence I feel it deserves the four stars.