Art Bears

Label: Rē Records
Country: UK
Released: 1978
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Art Bears' "Hopes and Fears": An Intriguing Fusion of Sound

"Hopes and Fears," released in 1978 by Art Bears, emerges from the fertile ground of the UK art rock scene. This album is a collaboration among members of the influential group Henry Cow, specifically Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, and Dagmar Krause. The recording process began as a Henry Cow session at Sunrise Studio in Switzerland in January 1978. However, as the project developed, some members expressed concerns about the shift toward song-oriented material. Consequently, the album was completed in March 1978 at Kaleidophon studio in London and released under the Art Bears moniker on Rē Records.

Sound and Composition

The album blends various genres, including electronic, jazz, rock, and avant-garde elements. It features a unique mix of instrumentation and vocal styles. The musicianship showcases a range of instruments, from Fred Frith's guitar and violin to Georgie Born's cello and Lindsay Cooper's woodwinds. Cutler's drumming, both acoustic and electronic, adds texture to the overall sound. Krause's vocals bring an expressive quality to the tracks, often intertwining with the musical landscape in surprising ways.

Two tracks of particular interest include "On Suicide," which incorporates lyrics by Bertolt Brecht and Hanns Eisler, and "The Dividing Line," co-written by Cutler and Frith. The album's structure is notable, with extended pieces that explore complex themes and intricate musical motifs. The first side, titled "Áhá - Palace Courtyard," features longer compositions, while the second side, "Mer - Irrigated Land," presents a mix of shorter, punchy tracks and more elaborate pieces.

Production Details

The production of "Hopes and Fears" involved several key figures beyond the primary band members. David Vorhaus contributed as an engineer and mixer for specific tracks, while Etienne Conod worked on others. This collaborative effort reflects the dynamic nature of the recording process, with each member's input shaping the final product. The album's unique sound design and arrangement are a testament to the innovative spirit of the group.

Art Bears' "Hopes and Fears" was released as a vinyl LP, making it a tangible artifact of the late 1970s avant-garde music scene.

Tracklist

Áhá - Palace Courtyard
A1	On Suicide Written-By – BrechtWritten-By – Eisler	1:26
A2	The Dividing Line Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – FrithWritten-By – Cooper*	4:11
A3	Joan Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	3:05
A4	Maze Voice [2nd Voice] – Georgie BornWritten-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	5:05
A5	In Two Minds Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	8:45
Mer - Irrigated Land
B1	Terrain Bass – Fred FrithWritten-By – Frith*	3:49
B2	The Tube Bass – Fred FrithWritten-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	3:05
B3	The Dance Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	5:09
B4	Pirate Song Piano – Tim HodgkinsonWritten-By – CutlerWritten-By – Hodgkinson	1:28
B5	Labyrinth (Daedalus, Lamenting) Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Hodgkinson	2:15
B6	Riddle Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	2:49
B7	Moeris, Dancing Written-By – Frith*	5:08
B8	Piers Written-By – CutlerWritten-By – Frith	2:10

Credits

Artwork [Figures] – Jane Colling
Bass, Cello – Georgie Born
Bassoon, Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Recorder – Lindsay Cooper
Cover – Art Bears
Cover [Assistant] – Doug Kierdorf
Drums, Electronic Drums [Electric Drums], Percussion [Percussions], Noises [Noise], Artwork [Centre] – Chris Cutler
Engineer [Engineering Asssistance] – Jack Balchin
Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – Art Bears
Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – David Vorhaus
Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – Etienne Conod
Guitar [Guitars], Violin, Viola, Piano, Harmonium, Xylophone – Fred Frith
Lacquer Cut By [Cut By] – David Vorhaus
Lacquer Cut By [Cut By] – Pete Norman
Organ, Clarinet – Tim Hodgkinson
Vocals [Singing] – Dagmar Krause