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... rocking cerebral gems. A must.
All Music Guide
All Music Guide
In this incarnation of 5uu's, leader-drummer David Kerman
(of Thinking Plague, U Totem and Present) was surrounded by Bob Drake
(also Thinking Plague, Hail) and Sanjay Kumar (U Totem). Electronician
Thomas DiMuzio provides sonic textures for four tracks and Scott Brazieal
appears on vibes once. The band's previous record, Hunger's Teeth, dated
back to 1994. Crisis in Clay was worth the wait, since 5uu's delivered
what can be considered an essential album to any fan of complex rock that
goes beyond the standard progressive rock format. Oddly enough, the main
reference that springs to mind upon hearing Crisis in Clay is Yes. Of
course, Bob Drake's high-pitched vocals bear some responsibility toward
this impression, but one can also hear some of Steve Howe's signature
licks in the guitar work. Whenever the music gets more symphonic, one
can feel the spirit of Yes not too far away. Actually, Crisis in Clay
sounds like what Yes might have sound like in the 1990s if they had continued
to evolve in the same direction their tangential album Relayer hinted
("The Gates of Delirium" showed some Henry Cow). So Crisis in
Clay is one part Yes, one part Henry Cow, one part totemist (Motor Totemist
Guild, U Totem). Songs are short (all under five minutes) and have complex
structures (crazy drum patterns), rich arrangements (found sound backgrounds
give them depth) and angular melodies. Songs like "Comeuppance,"
"Bought the Farm" and "Hunter-Gatherer" are rocking
cerebral gems. A must. François Couture
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