Search - Red Krayola :: Red Krayola

An Avant-Rock Classic!!!

G. Preston | Baltimore, MD United States | 12/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the comeback album for one of the most obscure "cult" bands of the 60's: the Red Crayola. Essentially, it is leader Mayo Thompson assisted by younger apprentices to his skewed vision of rock music. Next to Hazel, it is RK's most listenable effort and definitely the one which bears the closest resemblance to Rock and Roll. At times, it even sounds like a more abstract Minutemen. As with their earlier stuff, the tracks here are more conceptual pieces than songs, except they're all done with guitar, vocals, bass and drums, and actually have steady beats and choruses. If there is such a thing as Avant-Rock, this is it. All of the hallmarks of the Avant Garde are here: fascination with paradox, explorations of sorrow and absurdity, strange juxtapositions of imagery, and an insistence on defying expectations. Yet despite these potentially pretentious maneuvers, it's only alienating if you let it be; there is a curious warmth and humor bubbling under the surface. If you're a fan of Pere Ubu, Captain Beefheart and Wire, you should enjoy this and probably cherish it as one of the strangest items in your collection."