Album Review
Cross, Tara – “Tara Cross 1982-89” – [Vinyl on Demand]
Max Level 1/17/2012 12-inch, A Library
A girl, her keyboards, and a cheap drum machine. Cross was based in New York during the ’80s, and released her somewhat eccentric music mostly on cassettes. This impressive 4-LP set on heavyweight vinyl collects maybe a half a dozen of those releases along with some collaborations and appearances on various compilations. There are tracks with a gently techno-ish feel, goofy new wave songs, and many nicely-layered keyboard extravaganzas. Many of the tracks remind me of Bill Nelson’s solo projects from the same time period, with perhaps a bit of Brian Eno in there too. She sings and also uses some found-sounding vocals–guys talking in French and stuff like that; maybe it’s movie dialogue? Track lengths range from about 1 minute to nearly 7 minutes. Approximately half of them are instrumental. This ambitious box set is a great historical document and if it’s your first–as it was for me–exposure to Tara Cross’s music, I encourage you to dive in and check it out. She was definitely onto something.
you heard it 52 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 225 days ago, Naysayer played I'm Going Away
- 232 days ago, Naysayer played 627
- 801 days ago, lexi glass played 627
- 820 days ago, Naysayer played 627
- 1396 days ago, lexi glass played Tempus Fugit
12345 S. El Monte Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022
Public Inspection File
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