This fine record was recorded by the esteemed Robert Poss, who used to be in the sublime Band of Susans and has also produced Tone and Skeleton Key. Here, he aids this quirky trio in capturing some riveting performances in startling clarity. The music is rock yet somewhat arty, with odd time signatures and busy sections, but the honest, upfront female and male vocals keep it all down to earth. Apparantly the basics were tracked in a barn and then all the overdubs and mixing was done at Robert's apartment. It's one of those records where, in lesser hands, the production could be so wrong and ruin it, yet The Chopper sounds so fresh and inviting that I can't help but keep listening to it.

 (Pedigree, PO Box 30163, New York, NY 10011 skulpey@aol.)

Tape Op is a bi-monthly magazine devoted to the art of record making.

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