Daevid Allen's University Of Errors: e2 x 10 = tenure
(2001) innerSPACE 7715

The University of Errors' 'e2 x 10 = tenure' is another tuneful yet crazy and eclectic affair, and is presented here exactly as it was on the original CD-R, except a few of the songtitles have been changed. And of course the full packaging includes a couple of hand-drawn Daevid creations as only the Headmaster knows how. 'tenure' feeds off some of the same ideas that appeared on the 'Money Doesn't Make It' debut, but then this one also displays quite a bit more of the compositional stamp of Mr. Dingo Virgin methinks. "If You Are Changing" is a prime example... very recognizable as the sort of cosmic ditty that he did so many times with Gong, and again during his time in Mallorca in the late 70s. And this one is just as appetizing. And later, "One Mother of Pearl" again has that same tick-tock grandfather clock approach to the acoustic guitar from those old days (cf "Deya Goddess"). Works every time. But "Ocean in the Distance" is the most remarkable piece, a lazy meandering jaunt topped off with glorious gliss and spirited vocals from Daevid... one for the ages. "Ocean Motha" follows in the nautical vein, this one an incantation of sorts to the one that "lifts me up and carries me." More incantations from Daevid (lyrics by Yeats) are found in "innesfree," as slowly the band builds up the backing rhythm into a full-fledged jam that soars gracefully just as it throws in a touch of dissonant color and droning haze to great effect. "Pinky's Party Song" and "Good Evening Ned Kelly" (original title - "Lick Yr Love Backwards" after the tune's final incantation) are both louder and more raucous affairs. Not your standard rock tunes mind you, but with a punkish element and a bit more of that dissonant taste from the dueling guitars of Allen and Pollock. And then you have the frank and biting commentary in the lyrics that is a common bond between the UofE and so many other Gong entities.

'e2 x 10 = tenure' is another very strong album, and demonstrate that both Daevid Allen and the consortium of Bay Area musicnauts have more than enough ideas to keep many projects afloat, given that Gong's 'Zero to Infinity' was no shabby effort and Mushroom is obviously continuing to evolve through the gamut of musical styles with 'Compared to What' just the latest stop. I hate to weigh one against the other for preference because they're such different beasts, but of course since I'm a true space-rocker at heart, I will likely gravitate more often toward the space-gliss ambience of UofE. That said, I was rather surprised at how much I enjoyed the "Jazz Mushroom." (I still don't have any Miles Davis or Sun Ra albums, crime that that must be.) Both entities are planning tours this fall, a difficult feat to manage given the major cross-pollination involved. But expect to see the Allen/Pollock/Clare/Jason Mills UofErrors tour the USA, just as the Pat O'Hearn/Erik Pearson-led Mushroom is jaunting around Germany and other parts. Try to catch one or the other, wherever your own travels might take you.

Keith Henderson