Search - Smegma :: Ism

One of My Favorites

vonneriteweizen | Portland, Oregon | 05/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Smegma is a band out of Pasadena from the early 70s that moved to Pacific Northwest and took their individualized brand of existential jazz with them. For years, the troupe has marched forward with sizzling live performances using guitar, bass, saxophone, trombone, tape loops, vox, theromin, and their distinct shrieks. "Ism" is out of this world! It was filled with crazy noises and sounds, moans and groans and all sorts of maniacal tape loops. My favorite tracks are "Rock it Harder," in which after three and half minutes of shreiking the vocalist Amazon Bambi exclaims "What a head rush!" and "Emergency Plan 'B'" which is classic Smegma at its best. The CD is different from the vinyl as it includes extra tracks including the very fine Smegma effort "It's Going Good" which has to be one of their creepiest wonders of all time. This album is a must have for fans of the avant garde and noise genres. It is a true work of art."