Considering he was one of the leading production figures for the early '90s grunge revolution,
Steve Fisk's music couldn't be any less grunge-like.
999 Levels of Undo, his third solo release, has about as much to do with three-chord power chord progressions as John Ashcroft has to do with Planned Parenthood. One of the most salient characteristics on the album is the breakbeats, but
Fisk never hesitates to stop or slow them down, speed them back up, or interrupt their steady progression. Wisely, he's purged the silly/humorous elements that plagued earlier solo releases and focused on his masterful finishing techniques. Predictably, the production is divine, and the cast of supporting characters is rich -- including Kim Thayil and Greg Freeman. It's an album that will likely speak more to musicians and hardcore music junkies than mainstream fans. But, in truth, it's unlikely
Fisk had any audience in mind when he was making
999 Levels of Undo. He was probably just trying to make a damned good album. And in that vein, he succeeds. ~ Kieran McCarthy