Baylies / Man Ray & Vague Knitting
Album: Man Ray & Vague Knitting   Collection:General
Artist:Baylies   Added:Nov 2011
Label:75 Ark  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2012-06-16 Pull Date: 2012-08-19
Week Ending: Aug 12 Jul 1
Airplays: 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Aug 08, 2012: extended maximum entropy
Vague Knitting
2. Jun 27, 2012: maximum entropy
Man Ray

Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2012-06-15
Baylies Band, led by Eric Baylies on bass & theremin, plays self-described “mostly noisy, acid & prog rock.” It’s experimental, improvisational, weird … and pretty cool. The jacket says the band comprises 4 keyboard players & a drummer; the notes insert says it’s a drummer & a guitarist with Baylies on Moog synth—so go figure. (I definitely hear a guitar.)

No FCC issues.

1 * Slow to mid-fast. Emphasis is on rhythm & layers of sound texture, but there are bits of melody. Parts are very free; others are more melodic. At times, you think a rock song might break out, but the moment passes and noises swallow up the little hint of melody. There are little surprises sprinkled in: a happy toy piano, a quick bass solo. Quite interesting. (23:32)

2 ** Faster, brighter, & happier sounding then #1. Driven by a steady beat on electric bass. Still experimental & noisy, but definitely more melodic: melodic threads last longer. The blend of cacophony and melodic purpose are reminiscent of a pit orchestra tuning up: each player doing their own sensible thing, but all mixed up as a whole. In the late going, there’s a catchy riff on bass accompanying space music on Theremin. (23:07)

3 Fast, tense & edgy. Has a shrill, shimmering, non-distinct sound. Title implies this is a blend of nos. 1 & 2; it feels more like 1, with emphasis again on rhythm & noise, not melody. Has a lot more drumming. The most abstract & nonsensical of the tracks. (23:25)

Track Listing
1. Man Ray   2. Vague Knitting
  3. Man Ray & Vague Knitting