Search - Throbbing Gristle :: Very Friendly

For hardcore TG fans - an historic industrial music document

A. Coates | San Francisco | 02/22/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This lo-fi early recording effort from industrial music pioneers Throbbing Gristle sets the framework for their more assured later releases. While the recording is decidely lo-fi, there are some interesting moments, and it's certainly worthy of a place in any industrial music fans CD collection. The first track, Very Friendly, is one of the most creepy TG outings ever comprising a 20 minute telling of the twisted tale of the Moors murderers, Myra Hinley and Ian Brady. Genenis P. Orridge's vocals take the listener into some very close contact with the convicted child killers against a nightmarish backdrop of industrial noise and chaos. I defy anyone to listen to this track in the dark, particularly those familiar with the story. Other tracks sound more like lo-fi demos than full outings, not surprising given this was recorded well before the other better known TG releases (probably during their transition from performance art group COUM transmissions into a fully fledged music group in 1974-1975). The minimal industrial rhythms on Whorle Of Sound and Dead Bait are certainly interesting in terms of historical significance. All in all this CD is well worth seeking out...just keep the lights on for Track 1."