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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Experiment IV, 6 Dec 2005
This release signified the point in Kates recording career when, perhaps, she went a slight too far for your average record buying public. As a nod towards the style of this album, Sat in your lap was released a full year before and, by its merits, did fairly well in the singles chart. However, that was certainly not the case for the title track, when released as an album-promoter. Further releases didnt even chart. So, what went wrong? Actually, nothing. She just happened to produce something that, today, would be hailed as a master-stroke, perhaps. In July 1982, this was not so. Here was a recording artist like no other, simply pushing her art in yet another direction. Experimenting, and offering no compromises. And credit to EMI for allowing her to do so, although it is questioned whether the big cheeses were particularly enamoured with the product or not. It certainly didnt rake in the profits in the same was as her previous three had done. The relative commercial failure of this album forced her to yield perhaps to some extent on her next venture, and we all know the outcome of that (Hounds of Love, for those who dont). But the learning, musically and technologically, from this album certainly made the follow-up the genius that it was. Here, Kate gives free reign to her musical craftsmanship, resulting in ambitious pieces that were perhaps too far ahead of their time. Admittedly, the album doesnt flow in the same sense that HOL does, but how many albums do? It wasnt a concept album, so discernable thread not necessary. However, observation, subject and life experience are there for all to hear. Sat in you lap opens the experience with its heavy drums and Kates piano. The many step-changes in this track are bizarre, but somehow it works. Vocally, Kate is very unrestrained, shrieking at times here and throughout the album, but this adds to the feel of the work. As the songs roll by, a sense of musical schizophrenia hits you. There is no natural progression, but therein lies its charm. There goes a tenner is quirky in sound, but lyrically very astute, and this is true of all the tracks. As with all of her work, it commands attention, more so with this album than others. Pull out the pin was apparently inspired by a documentary seen on TV, and with this in mind, the lyrics are spot-on, and the wailing I love lifes are disconcerting yet, at the same time, familiar Kate territory. Suspended in gaffa is another out there song a fast waltz with vocals swapping several times from low, almost spoken to top-note. Lyrically who knows? Who cares? For me, after the side one (yes Im that old) opener, the high point of the album followed by the low point (yes there is one). Keep it open shows great vocal range and styles, but is very heavy. The dark lyrics match the mood. Its not a poor number, it just happen to be the weakest on the album. The title-track is very unusual with faux aussie-accented vocal. This does detract from the serious nature of the lyric, i.e. the new mans desire to claim the land at the expense of the indigenous population. Controversial stuff, indeed. This runs into Night of the swallow which has a distinctly Irish feel, and is a nod towards later outings (Jig of life). Next up is All the love, which is a fairly simple piece with Kate, a piano, a Fairlight and a choirboy. Very effective wouldnt have been out of place on Never for Ever. The only thing that spoils (and to some extent, dates) the song are the telephone spoken goodbyes. That aside, it is a lush and beautiful composition. Houdini takes its inspiration from obvious sources and, like many of the songs here, is thoughfully written and perfomed. Side-show dramatics and all (you hit the water). Dramatics abound in the closer Get out of my house, including Kate and BVs offering braying Mule noises. Classic. Lyrically, this song could be construed in many ways. I like to think it was inspired by Kates feelings towards the EMI people, after paying her a visit during the recording of this album. Get out of my house, indeed! For me, this is Kate hitting her stride, both lyrically and musically. I think the tide of pop music at the time (1982; Duran Duran, Human League, Haircut 100 (jesus), Dexys, etc.) was fairly unforgiving towards a rare breed at the time i.e. the female singer-songwriter with the balls to stick to her creative guns. Hindsight, however, shows that here is a record that has dated little over 23 years. I admit to being a defector around this period, but vinyl purchase in early 1986 illustrated how errant Id been. As many have indicated it is not an easy ride, aurally, but it does repay the listener given time. Honest. Just stick with it.
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