I have read a lot of rave reviews about TIA CARRERA (no, not that chick from Wayne's World!) so I'm sorry I can't be as equally enthusiastic.

Does this mean this is a bad record? Not at all. TIA CARRERA are a trio that play improvised rock. There's three tracks on this record, two of 'em rather long-ish, that were all recorded during one session. Now playing improvised music is not as easy as it may seem to some. Being a good musician helps and the guys in TIA CARRERA are that. They're audibly attuned to one another and the rhythm section lays down a nice smooth groove where the guitar can wail against. The end result kinda sounds like krautrock with a distinctly American desert rock groove.

Think BRANT BJORK playing early stuff by GURU GURU, something like that. So what's wrong with it you ask? Well, not much. It's just that when I listen to improvised music it's mostly stuff played by guys on a completely different level. Old jazz stuff and such, like COLTRANE or MILES DAVIS. Musically guys like that are in a league completely their own and their music sounds organic, even emotional at times, which makes it interesting. I'm in a band myself and on those occasions when we start to jam we sound almost exactly like TIA CARRERA. So yeah, I know jamming can be fun but usually when we start doing that the occasional visitor we may have in the practice room will be gone. Which is understandable. Rock has its limitations when it comes to freeform stuff. So while I appreciate what TIA CARRERA are doing (playing music in its purest form - or something) and the work that has gone in the cover art (which is great!) I honestly can't say I find it very interesting.

It's hard to rate this. Like I said, there's no 'songs' here, these are 'jams' recorded during a 'session', so terms like 'good' or 'bad' do not apply here. Only recommended for spaceheads and listeners less jaded than yours truly.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.1970tiacarrera.com

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