Dropera

by Ted MillsRecorded in 1989, but not issued until 1991, experimental guitarist Fred Frith's team up with avant-garde Richard needs the lyric sheet for any non-French speaker to follow the album's comic tale of two diners on a surreal adventure. Richard wrote and sings the text, while Frith and Richard alternate between avant-rock ("Wrong Left Turn!"), pastorale ("Little Pieces Floating!"), and even a jam that wouldn't sound too out of place on Remain in Light ("Hey, let's dance!"). Only the programmed drums let the album down; they sound leaden when the musicians sound alive and spritely. Fans of Frith will not be disappointed with this collaboration.