V/A - Perspectives and Distortion

-¢‚Ǩ-ìAlthough -¢‚Ǩ-ìPillows and Prayers-¢‚Ǩ¬ù is the best-known sampler of the label, its precursor -¢‚Ǩ-ìPerspectives and Distortions-¢‚Ǩ¬ù (1981) includes many non-Cherry Red artists, which makes it very interesting. In fact, when I bought this compilation in 1981, it was a stunning overview of British experimental rock/pop/alterntive music, played by loads of people Id never heard of-¢‚Ǩ¬¶ and a few (like Robert Fripp) that I knew. Time tells us that experimental music can often date really quickly, but most of the music on this comp doesnt. It holds together beautifully, which is surprising because putting arch punks like the Virgin Prunes and Mark Perry in with Kevin Coyne and Robert Fripp, for instance, seems quite out there. Still a lot of names here that I don-¢‚Ǩ‚Ѣt know/remember (A.Tent, the Lemon Kittens), but Matt Johnson (soon to be The The) and Eyeless in Gaza became crucial listening. Listen to it today, and you too might be inspired to check out some new names.-¢‚Ǩ¬ù Totally uncommercial music which bordered on the Avant Garde; Outsider Music before anyone thought up the name." - Lion. Features CLAIRE THOMAS and SUSAN VEZEY (STORM BUGS), MATT JOHNSON, VIRGIN PRUNES, LOL COXHILL, LEMON KITTENS, EYELESS IN GAZA, KEVIN COYNE, MARK PERRY, BEN WATT, TWO DAUGHTERS, KEVIN HARRISON, THOMAS LEER, FIVE OR SIX, MORGAN FISCHER, ROBERT FRIPP, A TENT and DAVID JACKMAN (ORGANUM).