Search - Fugazi :: Instrument

Behind The Scenes With Fugazi

07/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I know I've been curious. I've wanted to look behind the Fugazi curtain to hear and see what goes on when the band writes, tours and records. Fugazi's new Instrument video and soundtrack CD provide an all-access pass to the inner workings of one of today's premier bands. I ordered both from Dischord and watched the video (A few times, I'm not ashamed to admit) before listening to the soundtrack CD, and I think that's the way to do it. The documentary, shot nonstop by Jem Cohen on tours, in the studio and at rehearsals, shows the members of Fugazi doing what they do best: making music and going to all of the places it takes them. There are several laugh out loud parts -- a well-meaning fan who incorrectly recalls Ian's days in Black Flag, while mispronouncing his name, Guy plotting the death of a Hollywood legend, Joe's futile attempt to tell everyone about his Iggy Pop dream, Brendan rigging a motel showerhead with Dial soap, a slick MuchMusic correspondent who enthusiastically mangles their lyrics...It's a feel-good flicka that leaves me wishing that Guy had a dance studio I could sign up for.The Instrument soundtrack includes demos of songs that haven't evolved into regular album tracks & raw working 'drafts' of now-familiar songs, some of which are included in the documentary's music bed. A dream come true for any Fugazi fan."

Not your starter kit

:::houseofbunny::: | Daytona Beach, FL | 03/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Instrument Soundtrack is one of those rare albums that is complete from beginning to end - like one long song. The whole album is perfect and the atmosphere remains unbroken, even when left to repeat for several days at a time, which is what I usually do (in the car).



Funny, it never occurred to me that these songs were incomplete demos. I received this as a gift some years ago and didn't know anything about it at the time. Since then it's become one of my all-time favorite albums. I knew Fugazi from the 13 Songs and Repeater albums, but Instrument was actually my first to own by them. I will definitely say this is not your Fugazi starter album if you are looking for the sound that made them popular, but it may become your favorite album if, like me, you come to appreciate their phenomenal growth and evolution.



If you are a fan then you should get this. You don't need me to tell you that. This is a good record.



If you don't care about Fugazi but are interested in a unique original sound that is completely introspective and unpretentious, then you might want to give this one a try. Your money could be supporting worse efforts than this one. It's a little raw, has few vocals, and uses actual instruments as the title suggests. I hope I'm not too far out on a limb by suggesting that the term "ambient" could apply here. But forget ambient in the new age sense."

Confounding Expectations

Seattle Brat | Seattle, Wa USA | 06/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think anyone who has ever been in a band would agree that often the most interesting musical ideas occur in practice. There are always little snippets of things; ideas that, for various reasons, sometimes just don't work when they are attempted to be developed further into full songs. Of course, most of these "ideas" are dropped, forgotten, and the band moves on. Often, no one outside the group ever even hears these things. It usually isn't even recorded. Makes sense. Most people want fully developed songs and satisfying conclusions. Still ... there is something lost in these little tidbits. The idea for using these kind of fragments for a film soundtrack is just brilliant! Especially with a band of Fugazi's caliber. "Instrument" (the documentary) is an art film in the best sense of the term. The pure combination of images and music is absolutely beautiful. There are some traditional songs on here and some songs that evolved into other things. I just really like the instrumental bits. My favorite regular song is "Little Debbie". It just rocks like hell! I can't really make out the lyrics, but it sounds like Ian is yelling, "Starbucks! Starbucks! Oh Yeah! Do the funky strut! I'm Crazy!" (I hope that's what he's saying! Ha.) Anyway, I love this whole album. It's not your standard Fugazi record. Listen to it with fresh ears and I think you'll be rewarded."