Search - French, Frith, Kaiser :: Invisible Means

One of the best CDs you haven't heard

x_bruce | Oak Park, ILLINOIS United States | 04/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"French-Frith-Kaiser-Thompson, perhaps not household names but they should be. John French played a stint with Captain Beefheart for a few albums. Fred Frith was a member of Henry Cow and solo performer as well as bassist on John Zorn's Naked City album. Henry Kaiser has created some of the most interesting experimental guitar albums for several decades and has a ton of album credits to his name. Richard Thompson is probably the most familiar of the artists here. His work in folk and rock based music has been vast.The common thread all these musicians share are their willingness to experiment. Thompson is the least experimental of the lot and keeps this project together frequently with his song based approach. The mood of his contributions range from chilling (Killing Jar) to biting satire (Now That I Am Dead). His vocals are in top form with fitting performances to the mood of the song.John French is the other lead vocalist and has a distinct quality to his voice, at once smooth and lyrical with subdued soul. Songs like To the Rain and Invisible Means are interesting counterpoints to Thompson's dark toned, almost smokey singing.There are several instrumental songs that incorporate experimental guitar timbres and at times progressive style meter and key changes while staying more lyrical and subdued than typical progressive music. Frith and Kaiser are best featured in the instrumental framework of songs like Lizard's Tail and Kalo Takariva-Requiem For Maurice Halison.Invisible Means is one of those rare albums that feature top flight artists that work elements of their signature sounds while making music that is different than what they are associated with.Days Of Our Lives is a smartly worded, funny parody of soap operas while Suzanne is a mix of blues based rock meets experimental.Each track is the sum of the players rather than vehicles for stars to play on. The quality of musicianship and involving music is high. This album was considered the lesser of two studio releases by these superb players. It is the more ambitious of the two releases with Live Love Larf & Loaf, the first album being more relaxed and playful.If you know of these musicians but are unfamiliar don't expect a retread of their music in this project. Still, chances are you will not be disappointed by the good natured (for the most part) music to be found here.Well worth tracking down."