blackAcetate - John Cale Album Review

Album Review

During his 36 year recording history, Welshman John Cale has never had an album enter the UK charts. So, Cale can never be accused of selling his soul with blackAcetate, released October 3 on EMI Records. The 63 year old is not likely to change his tune, however unusual it might be. It has however, made the BBC Radio 2 playlisting. Since his debut in 1969 with Vintage Violence (Columbia) Cale has forged a career of avante-garde Rock'n'Roll from the days of forming The Velvet Underground in 1966 with Lou Reed. Originally a student of classical music, he was considered an extremist. His profound repertoire is based upon a fascination with opposites, comprising lyricism with noise, bluntness, subtlety, rapid change and sometimes hypnotic repetition. BlackAcetate offers much of the same experimentation, adding his strong baritone ( here and there ) with great effect. Lauded as one of Punk's godfathers in the '70s, Cale has never ceased in being progressive, though there's a strong element of self-indulgence once again. Outta The Bag is a flushing stroll of mid-paced peculiar indieness as he stretches his voice to the extreme.

Track three Brotherman is an overly-laboured quirky cacophony, though Satisfied is a little mellow stunner, and as close as commercial as you get on the entire album, which could actually be considered a single, of sorts. Full of delightfully genteel touches it resonates high above anything else. In A Flood is a close second for accessibility, displaying a keen ear for atmospherics and subtlety. Jauntiness raises its head on the wiry and funky Hush ( in the Prince mode ), again a possible single contender, as is raucous rip-roarer Perfect, showing his Punky tendencies .For serenity top marks, the winner is the ethereal Gravel Drive. More odd experimentation seeps through on Sold Motel with wiry guitars and raging synths. Acoustic driven Wasteland is a subtle combination of orchestration meets delicate ballad. Going out on another mish-mash of musical ideas, Mailman leaves you rather weary as it plods along aimlessly to its terminal lowpoint.

It's an interesting ride, but not one you'll want to experience too often.

One for hard core fans and musos.

Elly Roberts