DAEVID ALLEN'S UNIVERSITY OF ERRORS
Money Doesn't Make It (InnerSPACE)

I've had the privilege of seeing this new hybrid project live at the Bottom
of the Hill in San Francisco a few months ago. I was surprised both then
and now as to how fresh and vital the new material was. You can dispense
with most of Allen's recent outside-of-Gong solo endeavors, this is his
most tangible work in quite sometime with by the core of Mushroom (Pat
Thomas on drums and Josh Pollock on lead guitars). Also coming out of
retirement is local musical entrepreneur, Michael Clare who has re-taken up
bass much like a well-seasoned fish to old water. Much of the album is
constructed of real-time jam backing of Allenís rambling esoteric muse, but
that doesn't lessen the sonic impact. Some disc highlights: "Prince of
Sidewalk Scooter" straddles the border between Pink Floyd and Gong with
Allen's glissando guitar and Pollock's slide spacey leads; very good.
Probably the most memorable vocal recitation from Allen himself is on
"False Teacher", which alludes to recounting of a bad encounter with a
previous mentor. Both tracks three and five benefit from additional
guitars, especially "Mullumbimby Mother" which reminds me of Roy Harper
(circa "Lifemask") more than anyone else. Several of the other short pieces
are slightly tortured sound collages for Allen"s topic of the day (including
"Prof. Improbable's Preambule"). Donít be jaded though: this is an
essential album for those yearning for a new Gong album with a modern
Phish-like sonic edge. "Money Doesn't Make It" will hold your attention
much more than any recent Zero the hero material since "You".

Jeff Melton
http://www.expose.org