Dig Archaeology Vol 1

Musique Machine
Reviewed by Roger Batty
Dig Archaeology Vol. 1

Dig Archaeology (1980–1990) is a nearing 80-minute compilation that moves between chugging blends of horns & avant punk, sneering & edgy new-wave, bizarre cover versions, pop/ easy-listening parodies, creative blends of field-recordings/ weird radio recordings & blended genres, and beyond.

Between the mid 1970’s & early 1990’s The Space Negros where one of the main project names of American composer & keyboard player Erik Lindgren- the project released three full lengths, & a good selection of shorter releases. A month or so back I reviewed the rather excellent compilation Yin Yang A-Go-Go, which covered Lindgren’s work- via various projects including The Space Negros- and Dig Archaeology is pretty much just as great, and really a must for any fan of mixed-genre/quirky Sonics.

From 1992 this CD release Arf! Arf! Records, which is Lindgren’s own label. The compilation takes in twenty-three tracks, and really it sonically jumps all over the place- the collection doesn’t run in a chronological order; so you can’t really chart the project’s development. But instead, the whole thing is sequenced for maxim effect, enjoyment & puzzlement.

I think it’s fair to say I enjoy pretty much all of what’s offered-up here, and the whole thing is highly, highly consistent throughout. But here’s selection of the type of material to hand, which I hope will illustrate the scope of what’s on offer here, and what to expect. So here goes… "I Wanna Be Your Dog"- is a cover version of The Stooges track, and it finds a manic blend wiry guitars, overloaded vocals & honking horn work- that feel very early Resident like.“Go Dorothy Go ( Do The Bible)”is a jerking, bright, & off-kilter mix of New Wave punchy, up-beat 80’s easy listening, and theatrical vocals...sounding like some sort of bizarre Broadway tune.“Batwa Pygmy Chorus”- melds 1954 field recordings of anganyika and Congo pygmies chanting, with moody & building synth string melody, shakers, and creative feedback. The pounding-yet-brooding“The End Of Tradition”- which sees a meeting of upbeat singer-songwriter piano & moody minmoog Goth simmer, and a long tenor sax & harmonica solo. All in all the whole thing really is a pleasing & often sonic rollercoaster of a release.

Clearly, if you dig any form of quirky-to- sneering music that genre blends, and dancers all over the rule book Dig Archaeology (1980–1990) is a must. And it can be purchased directly from the label here.

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