Released almost four years after
PFS' first LP,
Illustrative Problems,
279, while not making a brutal disconnection, did mark a change of aesthetics. Pieces are shorter, more tightly composed, and integrate a lot more classical elements, mostly through clips from actual classical pieces inserted in the band's compositions as a tape part.
279 is a mixed bag of tape pieces ("War"), free improvisations ("Live Faust Die Jung"), preconceived or re-composed improvisations ("Solace," "2 S's & 2 O's"), and full compositions. Fans of the progressive rock band
Cartoon (in which all three members of
PFS were previously involved) will be happy to know that "Raising the Dead" contains a theme from "Shredded Wheat," and that "Leeward" was actually part of the band's repertoire. "2 S's & 2 O's" features beautiful interplay between
Herbert Diamant on bassoon and guest cellist
Bill Johnston. "Sigh" is a strange composition, blending clips from pieces by
Josquin des Prez,
Mahler,
Mozart, and
DeLassus, with music played by
PFS. The album ends with "Theme in E-Flat,"
Robert Schumann's last composition before sinking into madness. The delicate romantic melody has been respectfully arranged. The whole album lacks a bit of cohesion, but the classical-meets-rock approach will interest fans of
Art Zoyd and
Univers Zero -- same global sound palette. Not an essential item,
279 is more of a worthy curiosity.