Bastion of Itchy Preeves

Representing the music before "Chaiming the Knoblessone," "Bastion of Itchy Preeves" unveils the lighter and more straightforward side of the latest Cerberus Shoal. This was the first music written by the group, and it was to launch what now can be heard on the split CD series (NEI 25, 27, 28, 31) (and of course, "Chaiming the Knoblessone"). The recording of "Bastion of Itchy Preeves" began in the fall of 2001, but it was not completed until the spring of 2003. Here Cerberus Shoal finds its vocal voice with harmonies and sung narrative. "Bastion of Itchy Preeves" is nowhere as "in the head" as "Chaiming the Knoblessone," but this old-but-new record offers up a more amiable and accessible Cerberus Shoal. As always, the listener will experience a music and idea drawing from a large number of varied influences. "Bastion of Itchy Preeves" begins with a likeness to the minimalism of Steven Reich, and then moves into a realm of vocal harmonies, akin to The Flaming Lips and The Residents, and the vocal punch and pulling rhythm of African stars Thomas Mapfumo, Salif Keita, and Super Diamano. Intermingled throughout is the more ragged stomp of gypsy styles and the Sun City Girls.