Shaneolinski - Getting Closer
Shaneolinski is Norwich based experimentalist Shane O'Connor and his debut album 'Getting Closer (retainingthesoulbynos)' is a very interesting mixture of the weird and the eccentric. Expecting the unexpected doesn't come close to preparing the listener. The album is difficult to listen to straight through in one session. The material has supposedly been amassed by O'Connor over several years and the diverse tracks are too often disjointed and just too off the beaten track.
There are often strange and out of context, obscure noises just thrown in; which just tip the listening experience over from difficult to annoying. It's not that I'm against experimental music; it's just that this album is a thrown together mixture of not so good ideas.
This 'psychedelic pop extravaganza' has been compared to Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa and The Beatles; please, you have to be kidding! Frank Zappa in particular was a true musician and songwriter. When he used humour in his songs, it was always expertly written and his musicianship shone throughout. Zappa was a master at his trade, unlike O'Connor who is found here fumbling his way along and toying with the idea of being a musician and songwriter in the future. If you're going to do something well, firstly gain the basic skills; that way it saves the listener a lot of wasted time picking through the mediocre. Yes, I know that O'Connor is 'experimental' and the tracks have been put together over many years but to put them all together in one place is far too much for anyone to listen to. Dig out a copy of Zappa's 'Joes Garage' or 'Sheik Yerbouti' to see how it's done properly.
For fans of Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa and The Beatles I recommend that you go out and buy their music and stay clear of this poor 'imitation'.