Search - Cranes :: Self Non Self

An interesting and excellent precursor to Wings of Joy

07/26/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This early cd previews the Cranes that I love-- that is, the Cranes of Wings of Joy and Self Non Self. I highly recommend it, therefore, to anyone who likes Wings of Joy and are willing to hear the Cranes at an earlier, less refined stage, but for those who are primarily familiar with Forever or Loved, the early Cranes seem to me like an entirely different band from the Cranes in these newer albums. (Incidentally, I don't care for Forever or Loved at all, though I haven't heard any of the newer music.) So, be warned. Self Non Self is a great album, but it's a cranky, moody, and eerie style and not something I would expect many other people to like. If you are unfamiliar with the Cranes, start with Wings of Joy."

Heaven and bliss, indeed!

Mike Gallo | North Bergen, NJ USA | 04/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I remember back then when I thought Wings of Joy was the Cranes first album, well it was the first time I heard of their music anyway. But Self-Non-Self is really their first one, and an impressive debut it is. Not to mention, this cd is soo hard to find anywhere but once you find it you're in for a pleasant surprise.

IMHO, this is the darkest album that the Cranes have ever put out, especially in the musical sense. Most, if not all, of the tracks sound like they could have been in B-movie soundtracks
(mainly the horror B-movies that were coming out at the time of Self's initial release). It is just so out of the norm, not even "alternative" music of the 90s and today in general could match to the artistic sound that the Cranes were coming up with. There are a few instrumentals here as well, and boy they are freaky. Listen to the cd through, the last track is chilling and a rather depressing way to end the album but it works when the Cranes do it. While Wings of Joy and Population Four give you cool and different ranges of the Cranes, Self-Non-Self is at least worthwhile to have if you are, in fact, a fan of this marvelous band."