Gary Lucas, New York Guitar Legend (Captain Beefheart/Jeff Buckley/Gods
and Monsters - to name but a few) Teams up with shy British eccentric
electronica artist James R. Hunter of 'The Dark Poets' (Cradle of Fear/Borderline
etc) For an album that truly pushes the listener to the limits of beauty,
horror and aural abstraction.
This meaning “Beyond the Pale” outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour
came much later, as did good manners (the absence continues,) now with
the etiquette - the one aspect (don’t bend over in a chicken run) decorum
, the expectations of social behaviour on the side walk of entrapment,
pavement face to face as opposed to safeguarding to shield - some bizarre
protection. There is no avoiding the dirt of cart wheels. For the Mothboy
who’s windows are bricked up, was it just that he placed himself beyond
the pale of society ? So, the only failure is to cease to try - as if
he could not please himself, how was he to please his soul ? To be 'beyond
the pale' was to be outside the area accepted as 'home', Step to the curb
hand reached out, to only stand and deliver, with one for the road, as
disgraceful as was day light robbery. Sip slow through the thru lips,
as to ease the strain of execution.
His work with Jeff Buckley and Captain Beefheart probably makes Gary Lucas
the world’s most popular avant-rock guitarist, though his solo work can
lack focus.
Here, his solo pieces mingle with tracks recorded with electronic composer
James Hunter, aka The Dark Poets, whose samplescapes, synth beds and vocal
samples about things like military mind-control techniques recall the
dark portents of Cabaret Voltaire.
Highlights include a resonant cover of part of Popol Vuh’s Aguirre, Wrath
of God soundtrack; an exhilarating "Judgement at Midnight" incorporating
swirling National steel guitar phrases over a synth drone bed pockmarked
with found-sound fragments; "Breath of Bones", a delicate tangle of guitar
tendrils; and "Ted’s Theme", a lovely sequenced samba-shuffle burnished
with glinting guitar.
Solo showcases include the glistening Frippertronic-style guitar tones
of "Rosemary’s Baby" and the almost electric-flamenco flurries of "Rise
Up To Be".
Review from Uncut Magazine
April 2008
GARY LUCAS VS DARK POETS
BEYOND THE PALE
"Ex-Beefheart/Jeff Buckley collaborator and Gods and Monsters stalwart Lucas has dabbled in soundtracks, and breakbeat outfit Dark Poets are best known for scoring Cradle of Fear, so there is common ground between their approaches, it's a fearful rush of sound, with Lucas' spidery guitar above the Poets' neurotic electronica, the Grid remix of "The Judgement At Midnight" packs a punch."
Alastair McKay
Terrorizer Magazine
Reviewed By Sam Rackman for the Darkside Round up - The Latest in Gothic, Industrial and EBM releases
"When it comes to eclectic post-punk Gary Lucas Vs The Dark Poets knows where its at. Beyond The Pale, Released through Some Bizarre, is a collaboration between the Grammy nominated/one time Captain Beefheart guitarist and the British electronica outfit. The result flits between sounding like Tubeway Army remixed for the 21st century and Nick Cave playing acid-infused bluegrass."
Borderline:
2006 :Short film Directed By Alex Chandon. Music by J.R Hunter 'The Dark
Poets' (Some Bizarre Records) Here is the internationally multi award
winning short film 'Borderline' by visionary director Alex Chandon with
music by Some Bizarre's own forward thinking cutting edge electro outfit
'The Dark Poets' genius J.R. Hunter. A Version of this track will feature
on the forthcoming Dark Poets album currently in production for Some Bizarre
records.
Borderline: 2006 :Short film synopsis Taking London on a trip
by way of MC Escher and Mega City One. Deconstructing both modernist and
neo-classical landmarks to rebuild a new, impossible cityscape of upside-down
staircases, gravity-defying roads and liquid skies. short fact I made
the film as an experiment with After Effects. I had been dreaming about
mad buildings (Escher meets Mega-City) for a while, that became the vague
brief.I went out alone with an XM1 mini-dv camera and a tripod for two
afternoons in London, one spent at the south bank centre the other in
the city. I shot what looked good with no constructive thoughts to actual
compositions of the final shots. The only critical thing was that each
shot was 'locked off' for the short takes. Matching the angles and perspectives
on elements from different shots was a nightmare. But well worth it! crew
director Alex Chandon editor Alex Chandon music The Dark Poets festivals,
Awards and screenings include: onedotzero and Saatchi award winner Cannes
2007. Also being used to promote the London 2012 Olympics for (First screened for the Beijing Olympics - currently screening across the world)
The Dark Poets are in production of their next album.
The
Dark Poets track 'Crazy' appears on 'Redefining The Prologue'
SOME
BIZZARE ARTISTS - REDEFINING THE PROLOGUE: 1981 - 2006
click
on image below to buy online
The Gary Lucas /
Dark Poets track 'The Judgement at Midnight' appears on 'The Some Bizzare Double Album - The Only Failure Is To Cease To Try'
SOME
BIZZARE DOUBLE ALBUM
click
on image below to buy online
The Dark Poets remix of the Soft Cell track 'Barriers' appears on the album "Soft Cell - Heat : The Remixes"