Taking the best bits of jazz and post punk, Pig Bag exploded onto the scene ages ago and left a mark that still resonates to this day. Their unique fusion of angular songs, blazing saxophones, all sorts of jazz influenced rhythms and signatures still sounds unique and fresh today and that's why their recently released greatest hits collection is quite possibly one of the most essential re-releases on the planet.
Spread out over four discs in two separate packages Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2 is an absolutely massive set of songs that will take you days just to comprehend. Featuring singles, remixes, b-sides, live tracks, session work, songs they did at your house, on the road, in dumpsters, and a whole lot more, Pig Bag can't be accused of not being worthy of having a greatest hits package. These things are epic in every sense of the word and there's not one duff track on it all. Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2 is post punk perfection that takes the bop side of jazz and kicks it in the gut just for the fun of it. This is awesome stuff.
Saxophone wipe outs sit next to drum freak outs and endless bass lines and together they will simply blow your brain clear out of your head. Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2 is pure emotion on a rampage. As co-founder and alto-sax player, Jim Johnstone says, “A lot of music from that time is like an expression of what people were feeling rather than something that sounded nice or fitted in." That pretty much sums up this band and much of Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2. This is an album of reckless experimentation where sounds are thrown against the wall just to see if anything would stick. The great thing about that sense of adventure is that it seems like everything stuck and Pig Bag walked away with a sense of artistic accomplishment that was truly unique.
Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2 is an amazing collection of tunes. The four discs are packed to the edges with amazing tunes, experimental, edgy playing, and an overwhelming sense of creativity run amok. I believe that's why Pig Bag was and is to this day influential. Their two sheets to the wind attitude and insane ability to find a groove anywhere set them apart and you can hear that on just about every track here. Pigbag Volume 1 and Volume 2 is absolutely essential stuff that every fan of post punk, punk funk, indie dance, and the like needs to own...seriously.
No comments:
Post a Comment