ERIC ALEXANDRAKIS
IV Catatonia (Y&T)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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So, you grind away until you've got that MA in Music Business on your wall, start picking up work producing commercials and music, get you first indie effort noticed by Duran Duran's John Taylor who agrees to help market the thing online. Everything's coming up roses, right?

Until the doc tells you that funny feeling in your chest is Hodgkin's disease. The big C. And now everything's coming up chemicals, as in chemotherapy. What do you do to while away the time while you find out if you're going to live?

Well, Eric Alexandrakis borrowed a 4-track from a friend and started laying down the 22 remarkable tracks that chronicle his trip through the particular nightmare that cancer and cancer treatment offered up. I don't know if you'll like what resulted. I'm not sure I like it, exactly. Not in the sense of being pleasantly entertained, at least. There are certainly pleasant moments, and entertaining ones. In between, though, are moments that hint of despair, frustration and impending madness. Nope, I don't know if I like it, exactly, but I'm impressed as hell.

Alexandrakis is responsible for every sound on the CD. What he couldn't play, he borrowed from street sounds, answering machines and various found sound sources. What he couldn't play on conventional instruments he pounded out on popcorn cannisters, washing machines and various other implements and appliances. What he couldn't sing, he screamed, roared and wailed. What he ended up with is an incredible document of a harrowing experience.

Alexandrakis has an uncanny pop sensibility that comes through in some of the most surprising places and ways throughout the disc. I can't wait to hear what he comes up with now that his cancer is in remission and some of his attention can be given to some other subjects. This is absolutely worth hearing all the way through, and he's absolutely worth watching out for in the future.

Track List:

And Now Some Words From Our Chairman * I.V. Catatonia * The Bells Of Irony * Selenium, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, B-12, Vitamin C, Cat's Claw and Multi Vitamin & Mineral Supplement * Ill * Thanatopis * Always So Far Away (From Me) * The Big Crunch Theory * Beware The Ides Of March * Sir Gawain And The Green Knight * Drowning Spock * Hooligan Hotline (You Walk Away) * Daylight, Daylight * Mummyvision * Dreamgirl * The Carnival Is All Around 4.2 * Cyrano Debergarac * Smurd S'niawag Ris * Hunting Venus * Good Riddance * Spaceport Cabaret * Fin

© 2000 - Shaun Dale