(Avant-Prog/Fusion) Pierre Vervloesem - Rude - 2005, FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

http://listen.to/vervloesem

Biography
by Dave Lynch

Guitarist Pierre Vervloesem has been described as "Belgium's Frank Zappa," although it might be more appropriate for Vervloesem to share that title with his frequent musical partner Peter Vermeersch; together, the two musicians cover Zappa's stylistic breadth more fully than Vervloesem alone. During the 1990s, the guitarist was a manic presence in an already manic band, Vermeersch's X-Legged Sally, which blasted through a high-energy blend of influences, combining elements of Zappa, the New York downtown scene, and Belgian avant-prog music as practiced by groups like Univers Zero and Present (although largely minus the dark and ominous moods). Vervloesem appeared on all of X-Legged Sally's recordings, including Slow-Up (1991), Killed by Charity (1994), Eggs and Ashes (1995), and The Land of the Giant Dwarfs and the live swan song Fired (both 1996). After X-Legged Sally broke up, Vervloesem continued to perform -- this time on bass -- in Vermeersch's next ensemble, the more pop-oriented A Group, which released two CDs.
His solo outings include Home Made (1994), Fi as co (1996), Chef-d'Oeuvre (1999), Plays John Barry (2002), Grosso Modo (2002), and Rude (2005). Fi as co, Grosso Modo, and Rude (2005) can be purchased through the Belgium-based Carbon 7 label's website at www.carbon-7.com.

It's tempting to call Rude one of Pierre Vervloesem's most straightforward albums. But it would be as meaningless as trying to agree on which album by Frank Zappa is his most simple. One thing is sure; in general, Rude features a more stripped-down, rock-on approach that certainly has to do with the fact that its basic tracks were all recorded in two days. Vervloesem sticks to an instrumental rock quartet and limits his overdubs to one or two in most tunes ("Rue Wéry" is one of a handful of blazing exceptions). For this new solo endeavor, the unsung guitar hero recruited old X-Legged Sally colleague Peter Vandenberghe on keyboards and a new rhythm section consisting of bassist Nicolas Dechêne and drummer Renaud Van Hooland. A 69-minute, 14-piece platter, Rude refuses to stand still. The listener is bounced back and forth between acutely difficult avant-prog, metal, jazz, reggae, and guitar-shredding rock & roll. References to King Crimson, Doctor Nerve, Lukas Simonis, the omniscient Zappa and, surprisingly, Steamboat Switzerland are in order. Highlights include the doom-laden, organ-driven "Titanic Again," where Vandenberghe does an astute impression of Steamboat's Dominik Blum; the very complex "Greener" (the longest piece at nine minutes); the horribly titled "Pee Detector," and "My Flemish Period," the latter an action-packed Zappa-esque tune with touches of dub and hardcore, if you can imagine that. Dechêne is a highly creative bassist, often opting for the less-frequented path, a perfect match for Vervloesem's guitar work. It is rare to find a guitarist who has a signature sound yet never seems to repeat himself and writes with an impressive resourcefulness.

Pierre Vervloesem : Guitar & Sounds
Peter Vandenberghe : Keyboards
Renaud van Hooland : Drums
Nicolas Dechêne : Bass