279

'Released almost four years after Pfs' first album, Illustrative Problems, 279, while not making a brutal disconnection, did mark a change of esthetics. Pieces are shorter, more tightly composed, and integrate a lot more classical elements, mostly through clips from actual classical pieces inserted in the band's compositions as a tape part. 279 is a mixed bag of tape pieces (War), {free improvisations} (Live Faust Die Jung), preconceived or re-composed improvisations (Solace, 2 S's & 2 O's), and full compositions. Fans of the {progressive rock} band Cartoon (in which all three members of Pfs were previously involved) will be happy to know that Raising the Dead contains a theme from Shredded Wheat, and that Leeward was actually part of the band's repertoire. 2 S's & 2 O's features beautiful interplay between Herbert Diamant on bassoon and guest cellist Bill Johnston. Sigh is a strange composition, blending clips from pieces by Josquin des Prez, Mahler, Mozart, and DeLassus, with music played by Pfs. The album ends with Theme in E-Flat, Robert Schumann's last composition before sinking into madness. The delicate romantic melody has been respectfully arranged. The whole album lacks a bit of cohesion, but the classical-meets-rock approach will interest fans of Art Zoyd and Univers Zero -- same global sound palette. Not an essential item, 279 is more of a worthy curiosity. '~ Frantois Couture, All Music Guide