Search - Bob Drake :: Medallion Animal Carpet

A schizophrenic changing radio stations.

Ian A. Johnson | Denver, CO | 11/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob Drake got his start with a band my father co-founded with him in the early 1980s. Well, nearly 20 years later, Bob has released Animal Medallion Carpet which I was privvy to listen to on a CDR before its official release. This album is simply amazing.Bob uses many different styles, sounds, and recording and production techniques, at which he is a master, and combines them into a rich, deep, almost chaotic threads woven into pattern like random thoughts or as if you were changing the radio stations as you traveled through time and through parallel dimensions. So, that's somewhat vague, but there can't be anything articulated that could possibly bring one who hasn't heard this album, or Bob's styles to an understanding.The first part of the album - songs 1-16 are just simply incredible. Here are the classic Bob-sounding melodies and dissonant harmonies which he somehow is able to make very listenable. This album is very much instrumental with only a small amount of emphasis on voice and lyrics. They aren't non-sensical Yes lyrics, but non-sensical Drake lyrics or lyrics that can't really be heard because of all the raucous noise happening in the foreground. This he does intentionally. He uses a program called "Spaghetti" for "Concrete Huskey" which makes random sentences out of one's own vocabulary.The second part which includes tracks 17-23 sound as though someone is driving through Appalachia and switching the radio stations seemingly at random. Very cool, and very bewitchin'.The third part is the last track which is a fine conclusion to such a major work as this.There is some feeling of "What Day Is It" which, in my opinion, is Bob Drake's all time best album. However, "Animal Medallion Carpt" is not only breathtaking, it is an important work of art, as is Bob Drake an important sound-artist who has earned a place in my CD collection forever."

Amazing and strange music

Jason DuMars | Oregon | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob Drake is a masterful vocalist, guitarist, drummer and recording engineer. The music on AMC is wildly diverse and full of quirky, entertaining short tunes. As with all of his projects, this one is nothing like the last one, and will likely bear no resemeblance to the next. Bob is one of the true musical masters living today, and I can't praise his musical sensibilities highly enough. His first album, "What Day Is It?" is my favorite album of all time, and you can only get it directly from him. You can e-mail him at woof@capmedia.fr to get a copy, and I HIGHLY recommend that you do!"