b o b

My experience with Henry Cow is similar to Brandon's (see below) in that I heard In Praise of Learning first, and then was surprised at how different (and relatively accessible) Leg End sounded in comparison. Start with a base of jazzy, Canterbury-style prog and then add a few avant sections here and there and that's basically what this album sounds like. Good stuff. The reviews already posted to Ground and Sky have covered the album better than I can, so I'll just fulfill my requisite Frank Zappa fanboy duties by mentioning that this disc reminds me of Uncle Meat and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. The jazzy parts recall the former, and the avant bits (particularly "The Tenth Chaffinch") sound like they would have been right at home on the latter. review by Bob Eichler — undated —

s e a n

Although Henry Cow formed as early as 1968, it was not until 1973 that they released this, their first album. At this point a quintet, the music shows the beginnings of the RIO sound they would come to define steeped in a jazzy offshoot of Canterbury. Two of the more RIO-ish compositions at this early date are those by Tim Hodgkinson, such as "Amygdala", a track with some similarities to later Egg but with more use of dissonant intervals. The other Hodgkinson contribution is "Nine Funerals of the Citizen King", which sees the early use of a singing style that would later be employed by Art Bears, and then any number of avant-rock bands afterwords. Also of interest is "Teenbeat Introduction", which seems very much an improvisation (although who can be sure?) featuring both Hodgkinson and Geoff Leigh on winds. These avant tendencies should not be overstated, however. Indeed, for all it foretells, "Amygdala" is definitely in the Canterbury mode, and moreso "Nirvana for Mice". Despite every indication of where the music was about to go, this album ultimately shows a band in transition to that territory from a more conventional, jazzy sound. The band is very tight and in tune with each other here, and in general this is an easier listen than much of the band's later work. It might still be daunting to newcomers, but it is an album that will continue to have something new to offer over repeated listenings. review by Sean McFee — undated —

b r a n d o n

In Praise of Learning was my introduction to Henry Cow, so this came as something of a surprise. Instead of the intense, unforgivingly savage avant-rock of said album, this debut consists of jazz-fusionish, very Canterbury-esque stuff, which is equally interesting but in a very different way. There's much more of an emphasis on the winds and sax, and the whole affair is, in my opinion, much more accessible. The occasional goofy vocals don't hold a candle to Dagmar Krause's vocals in terms of strangeness. The mood is fairly upbeat and bright, and the music complex but not so dense that it should turn away those who are skeptical of RIO. Accessible, composed tracks mix well with more difficult efforts that I would guess are improvisations ("Teenbeat Introduction", "The Tenth Chaffinch"). Any fan of jazz fusion or Canterbury, especially the more complex variations of those genres, should enjoy much of the material on here - "Nirvana for Mice", "Amygdala", "Teenbeat" - all of these have a much more friendly sound than one might think. This is an early review; I've only listened through once, and will add more if my impressions change. But for now, I have a pleasant feeling about this album - complex, interesting, but not overwhelmingly mathematical or intellectual. review by Brandon Wu — undated —