The First Annual Report Of Throbbing Gristle

Performer: Throbbing Gristle
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Throbbing Gristle: Genesis P-Orridge, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson, Chris Carter. Always eager to confound and agitate, the UK experimental industrial band Throbbing Gristle issued THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT as its debut in 1977, leaving fans to wonder, "Was there ever a FIRST ANNUAL REPORT? And if so, what happened to it?" This 2001 release answers those questions by unveiling the "lost" record, which was shelved by the London-based group in '75. Although the album's mix of noise, tape loops, and disturbing spoken-word lyrics (depicting sex, violence, and other less-than-genteel topics) has been common fodder for many post-'80s experimental acts, recordings this aggressive and abrasive were a rarity in the mid-'70s, making this an avant-garde unholy grail for those inclined toward difficult music. The extended opening track, "Very Friendly," takes up a significant portion of FIRST ANNUAL REPORT's runtime, with deep, pulsing distortion providing a backdrop for Genesis P-Orridge's detached ramblings. Elsewhere, the occasional beat or hint of a melody surfaces, but, overall, there are very few shreds of accessibility, making this disc an instant classic for aficionados of Throbbing Gristle--and other likeminded ensembles--and a perfectly functional coaster for almost everyone else. Still, as easy as it is to dismiss this album as pure noise, that its blips and screaches can be heard in nearly everything from NIN's pop industrial to Detroit techno and beyond is indeed remarkable.

Uncut (9/01, p.100) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "...[The] album's aesthetic predates punk while predicting many of its tactics..."

Throbbing Gristle combined primitive electronics, tape loops, avant-garde techniques, and post-punk energy to create a dark, experimental sound that was a tremendous influence on industrial and electronic music from the 1980s on. They evolved from a mid-'70s London performance-art group, but by 1977 they were committing acts of sonic terrorism on vinyl. After disbanding in the early '80s, they splintered off into Psychic TV and Chris And Cosey, but reunited for a 2004 festival that was put together to pay tribute to Throbbing Gristle's long-lasting influence.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25