Search - Psychic TV :: Mr Alien Brain Vs the Skinwalkers (W/Dvd)

Messy and Wonderful

David M. Madden | salt lake, utah United States | 01/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A Psychic TV record is always a messy, terrific display of studio tricks, disconnected lyrics, sideways songwriting and futurism via genre-bending of outdated styles - and usually four albums whiz by before you really "get" the first one. This disc doesn't break ranks with that notion, as this current lineup (featuring vocals from Genesis P-Orridge's recently departed Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge) cycles through a pureed strangeness as inviting as it is off-putting. "Trussed" is curiously Soundgarden's "Mind Riot" meets Godspeed You! Black Emperor, drummer Morrison Edley chugging along on hi-hat amidst the bands incredibly complex drone. P-Orridge does la-la-I-love-you sounds on the meandering, screwed up rock ballad, "The Alien Brain" then jumps to metal posturing ("Papal Breakdance") to flailing Iggy Pop antics on the over-the-top-Stooges-like "Pickles and Jam". Grotesque, fascinating and otherworldly, the accompanying DVD (a documentary of sorts) only furthers Psychic TV's oracular mythology."

Five stars for the vinyl edition, four for the cd

Ryan Winn | Richmond, VA United States | 02/23/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recommend buying both the vinyl and cd versions of this album. The vinyl edition has four tracks that the cd doesn't have, and the cd has one track and a bonus dvd that the vinyl doesn't have. The extra songs on the vinyl edition are all good, especially Slow Roman and a (sort of) Monks cover. Slow Roman is a slowed down version of their mid 80s song Roman P. It's very psychedelic and groovy, and has a great build up. I was at the show where they recorded this version, and I have to say that it sounded more powerful in the moment than it does on the LP. There is another version from a different show on the dvd, and it's also good but not as good as hearing it live. I'm not downing the LP or the DVD, though; I'm just saying you need to see them live if you haven't already!

The cd starts off very strong and fun, but the last three songs (all in some way by or about the physically deceased Lady Jaye) end the album with a different feeling. I don't know how to explain it. It's not necessarily sombre or a celebration, or maybe it's both.

This album sounds the way I hoped their last album would sound when Genesis proclaimed it to be The Dark Side of the Moon for the 21st century. I loved their last album anyway (it's great), but this one is closer to the sound I imagined when that claim was made.

If you're wondering what the dvd is like, it starts off with Slow Roman live, then after that the audio and video come from different sources. It's about 30 minutes long. If you're into PTV, you'll like it.

Also, there is an amazing bonus track. It's on both editions.



Only 500 copies were made of the vinyl edition. It's available at Dais Records, and Genesis P-Orridge.com's web store is also selling a few copies (with a bunch of old PTV show flyers)."

RIP Lady Jaye

Lost Johnny | China | 04/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I liked the punky psychedelia, with Genesis's Captain Beefheart-like vocals, of "Heaven is Here..." much better, but its this album is well worth listening to. It's very sad, thinking of how Genesis how much must miss hir partner.



The version of "Foggy Notion" is brilliant. I suppose the drag queen/S&M theme of Reed's song strikes a chord with Genesis. He has done "Candy Says" live before and the invented dialogue between Warhol and Candy Darling (who died following a bodged breast implant operation-- listen to Lou's drunken comments on "Take No Prisoners") is a high point.



All the psychedelic drones and weirdness you expect from PTV are here and the band play well, but this is not Genesis at his most energetic and his 'singing' is not at it's best, but that's hardly surprising.



There are some anomalies with the CD's. Mine has a gap between two tracks, several minutes long but with a bonus track of 13th Floor Elevators' "Rollercoaster". I think the gap should have been filled with "Boys are Girls and Girls are Boys" which is on the Emusic download.



The video disc is probably for dedicated PTV fans only, but the digipak is nicely done."