Search - Arkham :: Arkham

Fascinating Historical Document

Robert Carlberg | Seattle | 02/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The few 1970-1973 live tapes represented here are all that remains of one of the most interesting trios in rock. Their instrumentation (organ, bass & drums) makes inevitable comparisons to similar contemporaneous ensembles as Egg, Soft Machine, The Nice, Hansson/Karlsson and Glass, especially on the tracks featuring fuzzbox on the organ (maybe even Caravan!) Yet this band also contains the roots of what would become, in the '80s and '90s, a thriving "dark progressive" scene in Belgium with such bands as Univers Zero, Present, X-Legged Sally, Cro Magnon, Fukkeduk and others.There are equal measures of fast unison playing in odd time signatures, and moodier group improvisations often in minor keys. Arkham was a unique ensemble at a unique time, and points the way to much that would transpire in the next couple decades.So why only four stars instead of five? Well, these 30-year old live recordings are a bit dodgy by today's standards, and detract somewhat from an unencumbered enjoyment. Still, to have this group preserved at all is little short of miraculous."

Strange frequency modulations

J. Holmes | yokohama, japan | 08/16/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"do you like soft machine? then chances are, you already own this Arkham cd. this is an album of live recordings and practice tapes of this instrumental drums/bass/organ trio. this stripped down bare set up displays a great sense of dynamics in their songwriting and a flair for some unique improvisation. the sound quality suffers (on some tracks worse than others) but there is plenty here for the fan of the canterbury rock sound (or even maybe a Doors fan) to enjoy. overall, an interesting...but not essential historical document."