Indian Jewelry
(We Are Free)
The music of Indian Jewelry feels like the Burroughs/Gysin cut-up method of poetry and sound collage applied to the song form. Disparate strands of sound are reconfigured for this band's gauzy noise pop manifesto - the rancid hum of a cheap synthesizer fighting for room next to a stray disco cowbell and a tendon-strung guitar ("Temporary Famine Ship"); backwards phased guitar shimmying up to a lost Soft Cell rhythm experiment while some detuned fuzz grumbles in the background ("Walking on the Water").
This is possibly the greatest of the album's numerous strengths: you can't anticipate a single move on it. Just when you think you have them figured out, along comes a ghostly ballad worthy of inclusion on an early 4AD collection ("Everyday") and a viscous bit of skronk ("Bird Is Broke (Won't Sing)"). "Free Gold!" is unkempt art rock of the highest order.
Standout tracks: "Everyday," "Hello Africa" ROBERT HAM
