Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS & RELATED ARTICLES

Mojo AUGUST 2012 - by Mike Barnes

MATCHING MOLE: LITTLE RED RECORD

Their 1972 swansong on 2CDs; bonus tracks include a fine Radio 1 In Concert set.

The short-lived Matching Mole formed in 1971 following Robert Wyatt's departure from Soft Machine and their first self-titled album (also reissued) was essentially a Wyatt solo LR lts successor is much more of a collective effort and shows that the group (Wyatt, vocals and drums; Bill McCormick, bass; Dave McRae, keyboards; Phil Miller, guitar) had developed a potent chemistry. Matching Mole were kind of Canterbury Scene-by-default, but purveyed a typically organic mix of songs (God Song), dramatic themes (Nan True's Hole) and spells of jazz-tinged improvisation, played with an edgy intensity that was all their own. Stand-out track Gloria Gloom begins with an eerie soundscape of guest star Brian Eno's synth siren calls and McRae's echoed electric piano, before Wyatt takes over on vocals and wonders aloud if "music's more relevant than fighting for a Socialist world?" Discuss.