Egg - The Civil Surface, UK Caroline 1974 Prog Psych LP

	£		41
	$		54

Egg - The Civil Surface

ORIGINAL COPY. FIRST UK PRESSING. Released 1974.  Stereo. Caroline Records, catalogue number; C 1510, Matrix numbers; a/b 1.

Superb experimental electronic prog original.

This record is deleted and not available new on vinyl or CD.

The last comparable condition copies sold on eBay for £30-40.

99p start.

Sleeve Condition : EXCELLENT (NEAR MINT).

Original sticker.

Vinyl Condition, Visual:  MINT.

Vinyl Condition, Audible:  MINT.

Label Condition : MINT.

Tracklist:

After releasing two highly original albums -- their self-titled debut and The Polite Force -- the Egg cracked in 1971, and the trio went their separate ways. In 1974, however, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell and Clive Brooks reunited and returned to the studio. There they were joined by members of Henry Cow and old friend Steve Hillage, resulting in the The Civil Surface album. Although Egg had presented some of the material within on their final tour, still that long ago taster barely primed fans for what was to come. For as experimental as the trio had been in days of yore, with Civil Surface the band moved almost completely into improvisational, avant-garde territory. Still, echoes of the past could be heard on "Enneagram," with its intricate rhythms and tempo changes and coursing passages counterpointed by slower effervescent segments. "Wring Out the Ground (Loosely Now)," too, nimbly slips from jazzy improvisation into prog rock, enveloping numerous tempo changes along the way, while a variety of spacy effects and vocals also building on the past. "Germ Patrol" cuts the cords almost entirely. It begins with a clicking metronome, skittering noises, and a trumpet reveille, as the germs fall into line then march off into jazz, circle Yes territory, and assault the bastions of avant-garde. "Nearch" is even more experimental, a piece built around abrupt pauses that grow ever longer as the number progresses, with woodwinds and organ ominously building up between the empty spaces. The woodwinds are further highlighted on both the bright and airy "Wind Quartet 1" and the introspective "Wind Quartet 2," while a heavenly choir floats through "Prelude." Far less accessible than their previous sets, Egg breaks the binds of structure, and spins off into odd yet fascinating new realms.

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UK Record Collector Grading System:

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in the sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.

EXCELLENT (US version of this term: Near Mint): The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in the sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VERY GOOD (US version of this term: VG++): The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover, or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD (US version of this term: VG): The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits etc.