With antagonistic artwork - a pastiche of a Chinese propaganda poster - Little Red Record was a different album in many respects. For starters, Wyatt had requested that Robert Fripp produce the album, which he did with aplomb. Crucially, however, Wyatt had decided to relegate his position in the band to solely writing lyrics, letting the others write the material. On this record, the band are a more synchronised unit, with tighter performances a very aggresive outlook.
The album starts with the eerie Starting In The Middle Of The Day We Can Drink Our Politics Away, a rather unsettling track, before plunging straight into the breakneck instrumental that is Marchides. The next nineteen minutes are progressive bliss as far as I'm concerned. The music sounds far more structured than their previous output, perfectly showcasing each of the bandmembers talents. Often the band choose to repeat a riff ad nauseum, such as the brilliant riff in Nan True's Hole, while either letting one band member solo on top or allowing guests Alfreda Benge, Julie Christie and David Gale to speak surreally, adding a phantasmagoric air to the record. On the whole, with complex patterns and speedy interplay, this is very exciting music.
Side Two isn't quite as fulfilling, but isn't without its own rewards. Starting with the lengthy Gloria Gloom - featuring the well renowned Brian Eno - we reach the more conventional, yet simultaneously blasphemous track God Song. In this brief acoustic piece, Wyatt laments God and all his mysterious ways quite explicitly. The final tracks Flora Fidgit and Smoke Signal are more of the same instrumental noodling as heard on the first side, a neat way to end the album.
Sadly, by the time of the album's release, Matching Mole were no more, due to Wyatt's unhappiness in being the main focus of the band. By 1973, it seemed that a new Matching Mole would reform, playing music that would later become Rock Bottom, but after Wyatt's topple from a fourth story window, the idea was abandoned.
Despite only lasting around twelve months, Matching Mole were a remarkable band, capable of creating evocative and memorable music. Their two albums provide a darker perspective on the sometimes enigmatic genre that is Canterbury scene, as well as showcasing Wyatt's skills as a drummer.
by Basil Francis
Tracks
1. Starting in the Middle of the Day We Can Drink Our Politics Away (Dave MacRae, Robert Wyatt) - 2:31
2. Marchides (Dave MacRae) - 8:25
3. Nan True's Hole (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 3:37
4. Righteous Rhumba (aka Lything and Gracing) (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 2:50
5. Brandy as in Benj (Dave MacRae) - 4:24
6. Gloria Gloom (Bill MacCormick, Robert Wyatt) - 8:05
7. God Song (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 2:59
8. Flora Fidgit (Bill MacCormick) - 3:27
9. Smoke Signal (Dave MacRae) - 6:38
10.Starting in the Middle of the Day We Can Drink Our Politics Away (Take 1) (Dave MacRae, Robert Wyatt) - 2:54
11.Flora Fidgit (Take 8) (Bill MacCormick) - 6:40
12.Smoke Signal (Take 4) (Dave MacRae) - 6:45
13.Mutter (Dave MacRae) - 3:26
Disc 1
1. Starting In The Middle Of The Day We Can Drink Our Politics Away (Dave MacRae, Robert Wyatt) - 2:32
2. Marchides (Dave MacRae) - 8:25
3. Nan True's Hole (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 3:36
4. Righteous Rhumba (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 2:50
5. Brandy As In Benj (Dave MacRae) - 4:25
6. Gloria Gloom (Bill MacCormick, Robert Wyatt) - 8:06
7. God Song (Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 3:00
8. Flora Fidgit (Bill MacCormick) - 3:27
9. Smoke Signal (Dave MacRae) - 6:40
Recorded at CBS Studios, London in the Summer of 1972
Disc 2
1.a.Instant Pussy (Robert Wyatt)
1.b.Lithing And Gracing (Dave MacRae, Phil Miller, Robert Wyatt) - 7:56
2. Marchides (Dave MacRae) - 10:30
3.a.Part Of The Dance (Phil Miller)
3.b.Brandy As In Benj (Dave MacRae) - 8:41
4. Starting In The Middle Of The Day We Can Drink Our Politics Away (Take One) (Dave MacRae, Robert Wyatt) - 2:51
5. Smoke Signal (Take Four) (Dave MacRae) - 6:44
6. Flora Fidget (Take Eight) (Bill MacCormick) - 6:38
7. Mutter (Dave MacRae) - 3:23
Tracks 1, 3 recorded at the Paris Theatre, London on 27th July 1972
Tracks 2, 4 - 7 recorded at CBS Studios, London in the Summer of 1972
Matching Mole
*Phil Miller - Guitars
*Dave MacRae - Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Piano, Organ, Synthesizer
*Bill MacCormick - Bass
*Robert Wyatt - Drums, Vocals
With
*Brian Eno - Synthesizer ( "Gloria Gloom")
*Ruby Crystal (Pseudonym For Julie Christie) - Vocals ("Nan True's Hole")
1968 Caravan - Caravan (Japan SHM remaster)
1970 Caravan - If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You (Japan SHM remaster)
1971 Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink (Japan SHM remaster)
1973 Caravan - For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night (Japan SHM remaster)
1974 Caravan - Caravan And The New Symphonia (Japan SHM remaster)
1975 Caravan - Cunning Stunts (Japan remaster)