Search - Po :: Whilst Climbing Thieves Vie for Attention

A revealing chapter in Dome

Said Head | MN, USA | 03/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you who've stumbled upon this CD because you were looking for Graham Lewis, Bruce Gilbert, Wire, or Dome releases, pat yourself on the back for finding an increasingly rare gem.



Recorded in '83 by Lewis, Gilbert and assorted friends, it remains still a favorite album in their back catalogue, of a period chronicling studio mischief and heavy involvement in artistic expression. I'd have to consider this one of the more unique Dome works (I call this Dome for the mere fact that it's fronted by the infamous duo). The use of electronics and makeshift instruments are in the minority here; the line-up of instruments consists of distorted guitars and bass, keyboards, some wild percussion, a clarinet, and AC Marias/Angela Conway and Lewis singing some down-right odd lyrics.



The whole album was written and recorded in great haste, with two of the members having wanting to leave the band; with that said, I think if they had saw the project through, there would've been some more 'solid' tracks, but what is here is still brilliant. Many tracks taken on an improvised rehearsal sound, however mixed and orchestrated they in truth are. Speaking of mix, the really value here is not totally in the music, but the mixing itself, where some tracks may seem to drag a little, something else starts/stops, causing you to realize what it was all there to achieve.



Minimal and hollow, the album is full of contradictions, as it can at many times, during different listens, sound rich and colorful, much like most of Dome's works (I just don't know how they do it!) There are plenty of surprises, and the bonus tracks and alternate takes make it all the more worthwhile."