AMG Review of Notes from Thee Underground

Jim Harper
All Music Guide

Notes From Thee Underground follows the traditional Pigface formula, with drummer Martin Atkins being joined by a number of his musical cohorts. This time round he's recruited Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Genesis P-Orridge from Psychic TV, as well as members of Ministry and the Jesus Lizard. Opening track "Asp Hole" sets the tone for the rest of the album -- industrial guitars and vocal samples over Atkins' powerhouse drumming. Sometimes it works -- as on "Dive Bomber" and "Fuck It Up" -- but other times it's less succesful. Although it's more consistent than other Pigface albums, Notes From Thee Underground is also less distinguished. Toward the end of the album the songs start to merge into one, only occasionally throwing up an original idea. A patchy effort, but not without merits.