Recorded in January 1980, almost one year after Free Soap, Vol 5. Without a Song seems instilled with a new sense of humour and adventure. The LP finds the group quoting from lounge piano ballads one moment, whimsical comedy soundtracks the next and then lifting off into a full force freakout. The dynamics are incredible, with the band achieving the kind of volcanic volume associated with Japanese noise groups almost 15 years later, followed by passages of serene beauty and near silent micro-dynamics. It’s a truly enlightening ride, one that provides startling new insights on every listen.

Line-up:

Casey Sokol – piano, Cat synthesizer, beer bottle, harmonica
Michael Snow – piano, trumpet, Cat synthesizer, percussion, tube-a-phone
Nobuo Kubota – ratchet, whistles, cymbals, drums, crackle box, alto sax, C.B. receiver, glockenspiel, flexitone, plastic tube with sax mouthpiece, comic contrapuntal cowbell, shell casings
Al Mattes – Buchla synthesizer, marimba, bells, cymbals, bass, shell casings, horns, marimba, duck

This is the original Music Gallery Edition release from 1980.

MGE 22

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Without A Song LP $22.00