This was not what I expected at all from the combination of Fred Frith, Bill Laswell, and Fred Maher. Killing Time is like King Crimson's Discipline meets Living Color's Vivid by way of Miles Davis' Tribute to Jack Johnson. Metallic, funky, and jazzy all at the same time, this instrumental potpourri of focused songs and improvs delivers on all fronts, showing a real savage side of the skills of these players. These songs were originally recorded back in 1981, but they sound fresh and relevant some 25 years later. Just listen to Frith's molten shards of mettalic fury on "Corridor/Lost Causes/Not the Person We Knew", or the sneaky and complex King Crimson styled interplay on "Bones"....just wild stuff. Laswell's deep bass rumbling's and Maher's masterful percussion add some jazz and funk sounds to the otherwise avant-garde "As Is", while the guitar feedback frenzy of "After" has an almost punk frenzy to it. The same can be said for the manic and heavy "Third Street", which also has a catchy melody line to go along with the eerie and pummeling sounds. The synergy between these players really stands out though on the closing live piece "F.B.I.", where Frith's guitar runs dizzying lines around Laswell and Maher's manic grooves.
This is a fun and impressive statement of the early 80's avant-garde scene, from three players who have contributed a lot to it over the years. Fans of Fred Frith's offbeat and eclectic guitar style would be well advised to check this out.
Track Listing
1. You Said (Bonus Track, CD Reissue) 1:46
2. Legs 2:04
3. Aging With Dignity 3:04
4. Subway Heart 2:45
5. Killing Time 2:52
6. Corridor/Lost Causes/Not The Person We Knew 8:33
7. Know (Bonus Track, CD Reissue) 2:16
8. Bones 1:39
9. Tourism 4:12
10. Surfing 1:13
11. As Is 8:06
12. After 5:02
13. Gate 2:37
14. Conversation with White Arc 1:14
15. Carrying (Bonus Track, CD Reissue) 1:44
16. Bait (Bonus Track, CD Reissue) 2:00
17. Third Street
18. 3'o'clock, June 21st, Get Down There and Do It (Bonus Track, CD Reissue)
19. F.B.I. (live)