101 Crustaceans "Train Bolt Roller"

"The six songs on the just completed and forthcoming Crustaceans album tentatively titled Train Bolt Roller, are "a progression from birth to detachment." Pastorini is loath to elaborate much more as he believes that interpretation of his lyrics should be left up to the listener. The songs all feel like journeys through a sonic landscape because the music travels to such distinct parts of the musical geography that we are familiar with. But you realize early on that it is not a resort you are going to. No, you are being taken to the underbelly of the outback or the rainforest and the soundscape will not be sanitized. And you are going to have to think about what you have heard.

The record's first track, "All Sewn Up," starts with a blast from Ms. Street, followed by a soft, slinky and sinister bass line and Pastorini's staccato vocal. The sense of unease that he is trying to convey can't be missed and it follows through dissonant guitar assaults and pastoral interludes intertwined with a kind of complex subdued funk ("Nothing's Ever Level"). Even though you are off in the wilderness, the music is savvy enough to at least remind you in vague ways where it came from. Carmelite has a blues-ish-sounding piano riff even if a blues never quite sounded that way and "Nothing's Ever Level" reminds you that Bloedow has worked with Medeski Martin & Wood. This is not a simple rock record. This music grabs you by the ears and insists that you pay attention. And if you do, you are rewarded in the way that a radio friendly single never does. There are layers here. Peel Slowly…Also there are a couple of featured guest appearances on the record that reinforce Pastorini's stature in the musical community. J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus) contributes samples and noise to the track "Train Bolt Roller"; Nadia Sirota, a violist known for commissioning and performing works by new composers, contributes her wonderful skills as does Clair de Brunner, who plays bassoon, and is the only remaining musician from the original lineup that responded to the VV ad still working with Pastorini."—Perfect Sound Forever

"TRAIN BOLT ROLLER" is both an incredibly beautiful piece of work and a picture of utter hell at the same time ...I often heard myths about Ed Pastorini and 101 Crustaceans long before I experienced the music. The music, whether soft or loud, demands that one pay attention - and if you choose to do so, you will experience a serious adventure into the soul - seriously - - highest recommendation my friends."—Hal Willner

"Ed Pastorini has been an almost mythical figure on the New York music scene - a reclusive genius whose songs are brilliant, and quietly subversive. Full of unexpected chord changes and an emotive quality that creeps up on you, they seem to come from several traditions at once - or none at all. The only problem with Ed's music has been that so few people know it. Now, finally, that will change."—John Schaefer

"Ed (101 Crustaceans) is one of my favorite musicians of all time. The music he makes is visionary. It is feral funk. It is saucy, mercurial and absolutely precise. It is an aural rocket launch. He is an expert marksman swinging angular bullets your way. TRAIN BOLT ROLLER is a tried and true salve for me. It gets my bones high. Ref in no particular order - no wave, minutemen, bud powell, jesus lizard, beatles, brian wilson, captain beefheart, sun ra, black flag"—Joan as Police Woman

"The stock listings phrase that when a particular band plays "some of the best musicians in town take to the stage" is actually true in the case of Ed Pastorini's 101 Crustaceans"--Salon.com

How to reconcile John Lennon and Cecil Taylor.
Or Heinrich von Kleist and Captain Beefheart.
Or Donovan and Warne Marsh.
CCR and Ligeti.
What would this sound like?
And who could possibly perform such a thing?
101 Crustaceans.
And they’ve been doing it for years.
Quietly, under radar, in NYC, but also in Germany, India, France, Hungary.
Only performing, not recording—until now.
The process of recording their entire oeuvre has begun.
They won’t stop until done-some 80 songs.
There are four musicians dedicated to this ridiculous task, and
barring apocalypse they will succeed.

Train Bolt Roller, their debut album, is to be released this fall/winter.

Ed Pastorini - vocals, guitar, piano
Indigo Street - electric guitar, vocals

Ben Perowsky - drums
Oren Bloedow - bass, vocals