I Mother Earth Albums (4)
'Quicksilver Meat Dream'
Release Date 4/22/2003
Tracks 11
Label Universal International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
I Mother Earth's third record is notable for being their first with new vocalist Brian Byrne taking over for longtime frontman Edwin, but since brothers and primary songwriters Jagori and Christian Tanna remain the creative force behind the group, Blue Green Orange will feel familiar to longtime fans. The quartet is more musically adventurous than their '90s Canadian alternative rock counterparts, and Blue Green Orange places a greater emphasis on extended instrumental sections and complex arrangements -- something the band would explore further on their next album, The Quicksilver Meat Dream. Less restricted by former vocalist Edwin's diverging creative input, the Tanna brothers have distanced themselves from post-grunge and delved into spatial jam rock territory. The increased use of African percussion on "All Awake" and the Santana-esque epic "Summertime in the Void" show off their impressive musical chops (especially the understated bass playing of Bruce Gordon), although their propensity for long pieces has somewhat dulled the visceral edge found in the Edwin incarnation of the group. Edwin may have also been the main proponent of more compact, pop-driven singles, since there isn't an obvious rock radio single among the album's 11 compositions. The only exception is the out-of-place rock ballad "When Did You Get Back from Mars?" which is the one instance where the hoarse-throated Byrne gets first billing. ~ Erik Leijon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After being pigeonholed as a metal band upon the release of their 1993 debut, Canadian band I Mother Earth returned in 1996 with Scenery and Fish. Guitarist Jag Tanna produced the sophomore effort with Paul Northfield and the resulting album, while not as immediate as Dig, is certainly every bit as rewarding. "One More Astronaut" was the radio track and it is a propulsive cut, which explores loneliness and isolation over a crunching rhythmic melody. "Three Days Old" alternates a psychedelic feel with jarring instrumental passages. And "Used to Be Alright" incorporates the band's fondness for percussion into a groove-oriented rocker. Nothing on Scenery and Fish quite approaches the instantly memorable hooks of the band's debut, but instead tracks like "Raspberry" and "Another Sunday" settle slowly, but surely, into the brain. A worthy follow-up to an impressive first release, Scenery and Fish accords I Mother Earth a place among the more interesting and entertaining hard rock bands of recent years. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Toronto quintet I Mother Earth was the subject of a bidding war as a result of their riveting live performances, which blended their melodic heavy rock with poetry readings and other performance art leanings. Led by brothers Christian Tanna on drums and Jagori Tanna on guitar, the band signed with Capitol and released their Mike Clink-produced debut Dig in 1993. Dig yielded three moderate radio hits in the driving "Levitate," the incendiary "Rain Will Fall," and the kinetic "Not Quite Sonic." Frontman Edwin was a powerful vocalist who easily cut through the band's music, which combined traditional hard rock with percussive elements to create a unique style. Other standout tracks included the spacey, Doors-like "So Gently We Go," and "No One," which highlighted the Santana-influenced guitar work of Jagori. A heavyweight debut by a dynamic band that showed great instrumental prowess combined with a strong sense of melody. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
