Search - Bardo Pond :: Set & Setting

We got f*cked up. Then things got f*cked up -jon gibbions

08/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The boys and gal from bardo do it yet again. Dropping a slab of brillant sonic sludge. "Walking Stick Man" is reminicent of there early bluesy stuff. Isobel plays violine instead of the flute. They have also added another drummer and a harmonica to the mix. Joe Culver is still in the band and his drumming is as brilliant as allways. There is also Ed Farnsworth on drums his style is a little more straight forward but still great. Brothers Mike and Jon's guitar work is more spacy and dense. The violine is a great new sound for the band. I do wish there was still a flute. "AGain" is a real rocker in a Dead C kinda way. Isoble's vocals is as incomprahensibal as ever and thats why we all love her. Clint and joe still provide the structure for the waves of noise to live in. When we look back at the 1990's Bardo Pond has proved to be one of the most interesting bands this decade has produced."

A Dark and Twisted Smile

Jordan Hyman | St. Louis, MO USA | 04/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""You're nothing but a baby wrapped in skin," croons lady Isobelle in a seasick sound. But nausea is only a part of the all-consuming fun of Set & Setting. Quite appropriate that the album would begin with the sound of a helicopter taking off. Where this album is headed, a parachute may be required. Make certain that it is made out of slow-motion flash paper and set it aflame upon release. Don't worry, the trees have hands and they will cushion your fall.



"Walking Stick Man" is the tale that these seasick trees start you off with. But the words are confusing, full off wonderful nonsense, and claim in an askew yet friendly voice, "Delirium welcomes you!" Sliding melodies swimming at the surface of the pummeling dirt compliment earthy beats on our bones. One can hear the sleepy grass growing from their skin. It's quite frightening however heavenly. That gives you a rough idea of the first track.



And the quicksand only eats us deeper from there. This album is very strange, sickly disturbing, yet wholly euphoric. It digests your soma kindly. Oh, and keep in mind that these soundscapes are raw, natural, and organic. Dirty, even. It's not "cerebral" in any form. Sure, it hypnotizes the mind, but that's nothing in comparison to the orgasmic astonishment that comes from the large, shapeless tongues licking every nerve of your body. The Mind is only a side character; Dissolution is the main event. So, when listening to Set & Setting, disregard the "cerebral"! Betray your "precision psychedelia"! Tool's Lateralus is NOT authorized on these premises!



That's as far as I'll let myself try to describe the album. I will share my opinion in that it is the best Bardo Pond album you can buy, and it's worth every cent, though I would buy it along with their album "Lapsed" which is a little less seasick and a little more blissful. Also good albums to buy alongside it are Electric Wizard's "Let Us Prey", ISIS' "Panopticon", and Melvin's "Bullhead"."