John Cale - Fear (1974) - Review

John Cale - Fear - (1974) - Cover

John Cale's various bits hung out for all to see (5/5)

From the grunge guitar of the seedy 'Gun' to the light, breezy, background drone of 'Ship of Fools', this album is a collection of schizophrenic songs, each highlighting a particular facet of the many different coats that Welshman John Cale is able to wear successfully.

High points include the piano histrionics and screaming breakdown at the end of the title track, following a catchy hook that you will be humming to yourself endlessly.

The eight minute guitar extravaganza of 'Gun' pre-dates old sparing partner Lou Reed's metal grind of the 'Blue Mask' by almost a decade. It also leaves you cooing for more, and thoroughly disappointed when the long fade out begins.

Each song on this album has its own identity, and is the perfect showcase for the off kilter guitar pop that Cale has shown to be his own. If you don't own another Cale album, then make this the one to choose, an excellent highpoint in John Cale's early solo work, but by no means the only one either.

David Lloyd © January 2000 - Originally written for Amazon.

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