HW: In the Zones

[Rudich, Robert A]

I'm proud to announce that I got my CDs of _Zones_ and _Mighty Classics_
now.  I want to have another go at the "Social Alliance" discussion of a few
weeks ago.  Jill and the Codex don't consider this version live.  I gave it
several listens as I frittered away the time awaiting the Swede Ds.
 (Henrik, next time you've got the ion drive fired up, ask the aliens why
the Vikings could cross the Atlantic faster than their FTL ships.)

I contend it is live for the following reasons.  1) follows unbroken from
Utopia 84, 2) it is in the midst of a live section of the album,  3) the
vocals and the Nik sax part certainly have a live ambiance that matches some
of the other live songs, 4) the cheering starts in the background as the
final notes fade and there is a perceptible hitch in the crowd noise before
"Sonic Attack," 5) it was released in the time that it was being done live,
 6) Godwin lists it as live in his book.   While none of these arguments are
ultra compelling, it seems the easiest answer.  The sound parts could have
been done live in the studio with Dr. Technical adding effects.  Why go to
the trouble of creating an illusion of live (if it isn't really live) when
the real thing is available?  I know, who can fathom their thinking.  If it
isn't live, somebody put some effort into making it seem that way, at least
somewhat.  It is a great song whatever its origin.  But if it is studio, a
really poor recording job.
______________
Motorway City - it ain't the same.

The _Zones_ album has gotten some lukewarm comments and I can see why.  The
studio songs have their moments, but nothing too great.  However, it is
worth getting for the "Motorway City" version alone.  Of the 4 official
versions I have on CD, it is far and away the best.  The crystalline
atmospherics are noticeably absent, but they are replaced by an acidic
warble that hangs at the edge and really stings after a while.  Huw's guitar
really gleams through (full synesthetic flashbacks after the 3rd straight
play).  The jam at the end could have gone on for hours as far as I'm
concerned.  It churns along with a relentless bottom beat (Harvey just
changes loudness instead of notes) that overwhelms me as I listen.

Then the guitars start to fire up at the end as it fades.  A lot like a
shuttle launch when the main engines fire about 3 to 5 seconds before
launch.  They show what power is to come, but you don't know when or the
full effect.  Unfortunately, this one is like the abort just before the
solid boosters lit that happened once.  The mothers edited that liftoff out.
 Now I have to make up what should have been there and it becomes an
interactive song.

Rudy
What does "Sju" mean?