Search - Fibonaccis :: Repressed: Best of 1981-87

A great overlooked 80s band

08/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a little strange reviewing a band that no one has ever heard of or likely ever will, but these guys are worth it.Condescending art-school smarm, pretentious pseudo-intellectual lyrics, self conscious playing. It's all present in the wonderful music of the Fibs, one of the LA underground's most overlooked bands. You see, it's supposed to be that way. Along with all of that baggage is a 'who care's, let's play what we want' attitude that is admirable. This is strange sounding music heavy on electronic burps, skittish guitar, held together by the amazing voice of Magie Song, especially when she breaks into her bizarre, Margaret Cho-like angry Chinese woman persona. I actually heard a clip of one of the Fibs instrumentals playing in the background on a Star Trek TNG episode supposedly to represent the popular music on some planet. (I think it was the one where Chad Allen guest-starred on.) Great choice. That's what a lot of it sounds like--alien lounge music. There's also a cinematic scope present in their tunes--especially on Sergio Leone, their homage to spagehetti western soundtracks. Devo meets Calexico.This is not for everyone, and the cover of Purple Haze may send some listeners running out of the room. But amidst the more novelty, electronic-sounding instrumental stuff exist many great songs --Tumor, Old Mean Ed Gein, , Snap, Medicine Waltz, the sexual ambiguity of Had It With Girls and much more.On the down side, I much prefer the album versions of Leroy (with it's lyrics lifted directly from The Bad Seed) and The Thread. There's a little filler thrown in...versions of songs taken from radio broadcasts, etc. Did I say this music is not for everyone?Freud probably would have loved the Fibs, whose sole long-player 'Civilization and Its Discotheques' gets my vote for Best Album Title Ever. I consider myself lucky to have seen the Fibs live. Wonder what they are doing these days?"

Get it if you're lucky

PetrouX | athens, ATTIKI Greece | 05/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"it was in 1987 when i first heard ''civilization & its discotheques''. i was blown away!!! lucky enough,i found some years later,this compilation by fibonaccis.
GREAT-STRANGE-EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC.check it out.....please"

How can you be discontented if you can listen to this?

A. J. M. Mcdonald | the hague | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great, little known, and long gone but not forgotten band from the eighties out of LA, the Fibonaccis still sound as good today as they did when these tracks were first recorded over 20 years ago, demonstrating how good music stands the test of time. Most of the best tunes here are from their classic album Civilization and its Discotheques, but the listener will also find a number of rarities. Drawing on many influences, and with a particularly Brechtian feel, but still managing to sound totally original, this album is a magnificent entre to the world of the Fibonaccis. After even a single listen, the songs manage to assert an addictive power. No need to single out the good tracks, each one here bears repeated listening"