Jerm said: Okay, I've been a silent observer of the list for a while, but I've got to

defend some of these albums you're bashing, not for the people who've heard them and dislike them (because I can understand why) but for those who haven't heard them and might miss out. Some of my favorite albums of the Ambient Noise genre include Weird Little Boy & Pranzo Oltranzista. These albums aren't self-indulgent, atleast not in the way you'd think. They are an entirely different level of creative sound creation. These musicians are vacationing from the constrictions of melody and structure and expressing musical inspiration in a rudimentary and fundamental way. Creating 'sound' instead of music, which I think is highly underrated in today's music. This is the kind of music that doesn't just pull you along with catchy riffs or by manipulating your emotions, it works by painting images that stir the curiosity and confuse your eardrums. If you are one of the ones who like either of these albums I also recommend the albums by Death Ambient (on Tzadik) Naked City's Absinthe and the albums of Tribes Of Neurot. Okay. Jerm

I probably listen to more records without catchy riffs than most on this list. I'm not trying to prove my bona fides or anything, but I think I can tell a good improv record from a bad one, or at least one that appeals to my aesthetic. "Death Ambient" is one of my favourites, and I don't dislike "Absinthe" or "Pranzo" either. Any of these three would be infinitely more sensible to buy for the curious listener rather than springing big bucks on "Hemopheliac". If you want something to "stir your curiosity and confuse your eardrums" I suggest you investigate the Erstwhile catalogue. Happy to give some recommendations if you like. Alastair -- Personalised email by http://another.com