Cyclotron is the third album by Blind Idiot God, released in 1992 through Avant Records. It became the band's final studio album for twenty-three years after drummer Ted Epstein left the band in 1996, causing the band to go on an indefinite hiatus. Cyclotron remains Blind Idiot God's last album recorded with the original line-up intact.[1]

Cyclotron
Studio album by
Released1992
RecordedBC Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Greenpoint Studios, Brooklyn, NY
GenreNoise rock, math rock
Length51:50
LabelAvant
ProducerBill Laswell
Blind Idiot God chronology
Undertow
(1988)
Cyclotron
(1992)
Before Ever After
(2015)

Composer Bill Laswell, who had worked with the band on their previous album, returned to fill production duties. Guitarist Andy Hawkins began utilizing more feedback and looping techniques in the music, which he would further explore on Halo, his solo guitar project.[2]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [2]

In writing for allmusic, Brian Olewnick noted that the trio were immensely talented and erudite musicians capable of playing music that was "head and shoulders over most thrash-influenced math rock." Despite this, Olewnick concluded that the group showed little artistic growth and "it was becoming clear that this particular well was beginning to show signs of dryness and that perhaps the band members would be advised to think of drilling elsewhere."[2] Jakubowski of The Wire shared similar criticisms, stating that, despite the material being some of the strongest the group had released, that the music lacked progression.[3]

Track listing edit

All music is composed by Andy Hawkins, except "Head On" co-written by Ted Epstein and Gabriel Katz

No.TitleLength
1."747"4:16
2."Slackjaw"4:51
3."Ground Lift"4:01
4."Thunderhead"4:39
5."Head On"3:55
6."Hangtime"5:00
7."Cloudcover"6:37
8."Cold Start"2:43
9."Death Hollow Canyon, Utah"4:35
10."Easing Back"5:02
11."Broadside"2:45
12."Dead Continent Dub"3:26

Personnel edit

Adapted from the Cyclotron liner notes.[4]

Release history edit

Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1992 Avant CD AVAN 010

References edit

  1. ^ "Blind Idiot God - "Before Ever After"". indivisiblemusic.com. 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Olewnick, Brian. "Blind Idiot God: Cyclotron > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Jakubowski (January 1993). "Blind Idiot God: Cyclotron". The Wire. The Wire Magazine Ltd. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  4. ^ Cyclotron (booklet). Blind Idiot God. Tokyo, Japan: Avant. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)