was named after Pink Floyd roadie Alan Styles and features Styles ’ voice as well as sound effects recorded around Mason ’ s kitchen . The rhythm provided by a dripping tap was captured in a locked groove on the original LP release so it would play indefinitely .
In addition to the remastered album , the set includes a Blu-ray film of the band ’ s performance of the title suite at Pink Floyd ’ s first-ever performance in Japan . Captured at the Hakone Aphrodite Intern ational Rock Festival in 1971 , the band is seen in 16 minutes of restored footage , including performance and around-town images , as well as further glimpses during additional minutes of B-roll focused on Pink Floyd roadies . The band performs “ Atom Heart Mother ” in its elemental four-piece format without the assistance of symphonic and choral accompaniment . Gilmour and Wright sing ghostly , wordless vocals bathed in reverb . The mix doesn ’ t do any favors to Waters ’ bass , but it ’ s captivating to see the band on and offstage in unfamiliar surroundings from more than 50 years ago . At age 25 , Gilmour ’ s solo during “ Funky Dung ” captures the slow-burn energy and deft touch that made him a guitar hero to countless fans . The set also arrives with a 60-page book of photos from the trip to Japan . Also present are a replica ticket and program from the outdoor concert , a map of the grounds , and a show poster .
– Jeff Elbel
7
ROB FETTERS Mother
( Baby Ranch )
If you ’ re already familiar with him , Rob Fetters may be your favorite musician that your friends have never heard . Fetters ’ regional reach into Chicago and surrounding areas is largely due to his former role in the Bears alongside co-frontman Adrian Belew and the great post- Bears power-pop trio Psychodots with bassist Bob Nyswonger and late drummer Chris Arduser . Between Toledo and Cincinnati , however , Fetters is a veritable legend as frontman , songwriter , and jawdropping guitar slinger for local heroes the Raisins , whose roots date back to the early 1970s . The band should have been huge , but that ’ s another story already memorialized in the song “ Clive .” Since 1998 ’ s Lefty Loose , Righty Tight , Fetters has been building his individual brand with relatable underdog stories , off-kilter spiritual musings , and tales from the home front as a solo artist . Mother is Fetters ’ fifth solo release and follows 2020 ’ s Ship Shake . The singer continues to ply his knack for hearttugging melody in songs like the vulnerable and wry “ Embarrassed .” It ’ s a shot of painful honesty and recrimination that considers the value of life lessons learned the hard way . “ Enlightenment is possible , but I wouldn ’ t call it bliss ,” sings Fetters a la Warren Zevon , feeling a bit defeated as anyone would who “ sacrificed the moon and sun for the one who didn ’ t care .” Fetters also knows his way around a singalong . The embittered but cheeky “ Why Love You ?” should have people singing along at house concerts and pub gigs . “ You only hurt me on purpose ,” Fetters sings with all of the spite and catharsis a generally positive guy can muster against a backdrop of chiming acoustic guitar , carnivalesque keyboards , and son Noah Fetters ’ bombastic percussion . He is joined by a trio of enthusiastic female voices , notably including that of spouse Susan “ Swany ” Fetters . The pendulum swings far away from “ Why Love You ?” with a trio of joyful odes . “ She Makes it Up ” celebrates a beloved free spirit and partner who “ makes it up as we go along ,” gliding atop an irresistible island rhythm . With a swooping George Harrison-styled guitar solo , a bristling synthesizer lick , and a fundamental pattern that hints at Tom Tom Club ’ s “ Genius of Love ,” the song has one hook after another . The sparkling fingerstyle acoustic guitar of “ Nice ” follows suit while describing the best kind of luck : happiness at home . The gently tumbling “ Always ” is a lullaby cut from similar cloth to Tom Petty ’ s “ Wildflowers ,” extending devotion and blessings to a treasured child or grandchild . “ She was my number one girl ,” sings Fetters during the unsettled psych-pop of “ Brothermother ,” referring to the sainted and missed lady named in the album ’ s title . Pondering his own mortality , Fetters muses , “ How much time do I have ? Maybe I don ’ t want to know .” Longtime bandmate Bob Nyswonger of the Raisins , Bears , and Psychodots returns to add nimble bass to “ Trouble Was Good .” The song takes a backward glance , marvels at survival , and ponders what ’ s worth carrying forward . “ We could argue like enemies or get fucked up like friends ,” sings Fetters . The performance of “ I Don ’ t Know Why ” underscores the mental tally of someone who realizes his relationship errors while hanging onto a thread of hope that it might not be too late to correct the course .
16 illinoisentertainer . com february 2024