Thinking Plague - Early Plague Years

Year of Release: 2000
Label: Cuneiform Records
Catalog Number: RUNE 141
Format: CD
Total Time: 77:46:00

This review is excerpted from Clayton's October 5, 2003 The Prog Life column found here -ed.

I was first turned on to this band when I heard In Extremis. At that time, their first two were no longer available, but a while back they were re-released on this single CD. This is Thinking Plague back in the 80s, and it's pretty terrific, though those with timid ears better stay away. This is raw, in-your-face Rock In Opposition that is guaranteed to drive away all unwanted guests and have your loved ones consider you for therapy, if not actual commitment. In other words, this is avant-garde: discordant, noisy, chaotic, sometimes atmospheric, but always wonderful. Not to mention beautifully recorded and produced. If you like groups like 5uus and Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, or even the avant-garde moments of King Crimson, you'll definitely dig this album.

Tracklisting:
Moonsongs (37:57): Warheads (8:03) / Etude For Combo (6:59) / Collarless Fog That One Day Soon (3:20) / Inside Out (4:12) / Moonsongs (original '86 Mix) (15:23) // ...A Thinking Plague (39:49): I Do Not Live (5:02) / Possessed (8:17) / How To Clean Squid (5:01) / A Light Is On And Name The World (1:28) / The Taste That Lingers On (2:06) / For Men In The Rain (2:29) / Thorns Of Blue And Red/The War (15:26)

Musicians:
Bob Drake - bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards, voice Mark Fuller - drums, simmons drums, timbales
Mike Johnson - guitars, synths, drums, percussion, voice, piano

Eric Moon - keyboards (M)
Susanne Lewis - voice (M)
Mark McCoin - drums, percussion, voice, cheap sampler (M)
Fred Hess - alto sax (M)
Glenn Nita - soprano sax (M)
Sharon Bradford - voice, Casio mini synth, "drake noise box" (ATP)
Mark Bradford - voice (ATP)
Harry Fleishman - piano, organ, voice (ATP)

Discography:
...A Thinking Plague (1984)
Moonsongs (1987)
In This Life (1989)
In Extremis (1998)
Early Plague Years (2000)
A History Of Madness (2003)
Upon Both Your Houses (2004)

Genre: RIO

Origin US

Added: October 5th 2003
Reviewer: Clayton Walnum

Artist website: www.generalrubric.com/thinkingplague/
Hits: 2090
Language: english