Not the Controlled Bleeding you expect
Chuck Foster | New Suffolk, NY USA | 12/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This excellent collection compiles CB's earliest recordings, from rehearsals to their first 7" to some great live material. Back then, Paul Lemos was equally influenced by the late '70s NY punk scene and some of the odder prog rock that was around at the time. This seemingly impossible combination worked well under the hand of Lemos, whose energetic guitar noodling anticipated the schizophrenic jazz punk style of Black Flag's Greg Ginn, especially with his post-Flag band, Gone. Meanwhile, the rhythm section and Gary Pecorino's keyboards conjure the aggressive pop sensibilities of early Blondie. The overall result is pretty similar to the under appreciated Italian band, Confusional Quartet. This CD is a must-have for both old fans and those interested in underground punk history."
FINALLY! AMERICA MIGHT BE CATCHING UP WITH CONTROLLED BLEEDI
Dead Presidents | Long Island, New York | 10/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For the last 30 years, Controlled Bleeding has been one of America's most-overlooked but influential outfits in many different genres. Early recordings like KNEES AND BONES pioneered head-crushing audio experiments; in the late '80s, the SONGS FROM THE GRINDING WALL EP came out on Wax Trax!, America's premier industrial label at the time. Then there was the early '90s metal/noise hybrid released under the band name Skin Chamber, and later, ambient works on labels like Soleilmoon and Tone Casualties found the band in different, albeit just as dark, territory.
Despite all this activity -- probably because of the band's slew of releases on European labels over the years -- few Americans seemed to realize that Controlled Bleeding is from Long Island, New York!
BEFORE THE QUIET proves once and for all that Controlled Bleeding is an AMERICAN group. These early (late '70s/early '80s) tracks showcase the ROCK band that existed previous to recordings like KNEES AND BONES. Driven by Paul Lemos' dissonant guitar, these rare (some live at CBGBs) cuts are almost exclusively instrumental, but manage to maintain interest through out. Faves include the punky and joyous "Wall of China Love Letters" and "Testing," which gives a brief insight into some of Joe Papa's scat vocals found with the Breastfed Yak project. BEFORE THE QUIET is a welcome insight into a chronically underappreciated band that's almost impossible to pin down."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1