Sunday, May 3, 2009

REVIEW: Genesis P-Orridge - Thee Fractured Garden

8.25 out of 10

With the recent Throbbing Gristle tour that I attended I have been on a TG listening "high" lately. I decided that it was time I checked into Genesis P-Orridge's (Throbbing Gristle/Psychic TV singer) debut solo album "Thee Fractured Garden". Much to no surprise I became instantly obsessed.

"Thee Fractured Garden" originally came out in 1996, and in 2004 was remastered/re-released. The original format was on Invisible Records. It's partially spoken word, partial singing, and the most insane/bizarre lyrics that only Genesis P-Orridge could bring you. Really I'm not a huge lyric person, it's important, but not dire, but on "Thee Fractured Garden" it is the words/lyrics that make up for the albums ambience. The whole album transcends genres on every other track. "Throbbing" bass lines, trance/acid house accents, experimental industrial noise, guitars, drum loops, psychedelics, "world-sy" influences, horrifying ambiences, and of course all of the eccentricitys/art-house sounds of a terrific Throbbing Gristle song. In-fact, on track 2, "A Debris Ov Murder", there is a sample taken from "Hamburger Lady" (which is one of the best TG songs ever). This is a much more laid back approach for Genesis. Although he remains true to his "anti-society" views, he brings a certain sense of humor to this album that any true TG fan will appreciate. The words speak out the music and the music carries the importance of each words meaning.

A MUST OWN for any Throbbing Gristle/Psychic TV, Coil, Current 93, or just straight up experimental music fan. Also check into his last solo album "When I Was Young" where he goes Trip-Hop ..yeah that one is awesome too.

Standout Tracks: ALL OF THEM, but especially; Thee Deacaying Matter Ov Family L-ov-e (incredibly catchy, love this track), Fredom Is A Sickness (this song is a brain melting trip through space and time), Maybe Who E Am (reminds me of a track from Peter Murphy's "Dust" album)

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