Psychic TV "Hell is Invisible... Heaven is Her/e" (Cargo)
By Tim Bugbee
Monday. Aug 20, 3:12 PM
The next phase of their shit-stirring career.

Genesis P-Orridge stands out as one of the most provocative shit stirrers of the last four decades to grace this planet. Throbbing Gristle was the flashpoint: a burning wire prodding the throbbing nerves of society proper, questioning its tenets and pointing out its inconsistencies, reveling in its ugliness and beauty. When that imploded, Psychic TV was born, along with TG fellow conspirator Peter Christopherson, and a more dance-oriented shape appeared. Indeed an entire quasi-religion (Temple Ov Psychick Youth) was born, and the music slowly took on a more dance-oriented acid-trip sheen, while visuals still played a strong role in the live setting. Though Psychic TV (now officially known as PTV3) haven't released a record before this one in a dozen years, Gen's still been in the public eye... s/he's been under the knife, getting 38Ds, in an action-meets-words show toward her self-created Pandrogeny movement, an attempt to mirror Lady Jaye, Gen's wife. Music's not been abandoned, though, and Toilet Boys drummer Eddie O'Dowd and Gen were busy with the next phase of PTV3, readying new material and recruiting new members. I saw the seven strong (violist Zef Noi$e joined the live shenanigans) writhing beast at a recent show in Boston, and much of this material (along with a Syd Barrett cover) was played. Some of the famous guests (Nick Zinner, Gibby Haynes, and original PTV keyboardist Douglas Rushkoff) from the studio versions weren't there, but still the strongest songs ripped with energy and intensity. Opener "Higher and Higher" is the standout by far: a powerful, propulsive track which builds and builds, prodded along by the bass slap of Alice Genese. "Hookah Chalice" is another stormer: Gen's inviting you to “suck on my chalice, baby”... the offer is out on the table. Ignore the fairly turgid "In Thee Body," the nonsense quasi-lullaby "I Don't Think So," and the meandering "Milk Baba" and Gen's cranked out a solid return.
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Tim Bugbee

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