Throbbing Gristle - (1978) D.o.A. The Third And Final Report

The Grey Area ‎– 003

Actually the group's second official full-length, D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle is nearly as harsh and uncompromising as The Second Annual Report. While both albums are a mixture of live and studio material, D.o.A is much more stylistically varied -- rather than focusing on multiple versions of the same pieces (plus a 20-minute film score), each of the 13 tracks is distinct, ranging from captured conversations to thoroughly composed creations. The four bandmembers each contribute a solo piece; Peter Christopherson's "Valley of the Shadow of Death" and Cosey Fanni Tutti's "Hometime" are both detached, atmospheric spoken word collages, while Genesis P-Orridge's "Weeping" is a sorrowful anti-love song. By sharp contrast, Chris Carter's "AB/7A" is a vibrant, chipper slice of futuristic instrumental synth pop, almost fit to soundtrack a Tomorrowland ride. TG's more accessible side was previewed with the single "United," which reached the U.K. Indie charts and remains one of their most celebrated moments. The song is listed third on D.o.A's track listing, but it perversely appears as a fast-forwarding tape of the track, lasting all of 16 seconds! One of the group's other calling cards, the gloriously unsettling "Hamburger Lady," makes its first appearance here. The song tells the gruesome tale of a burn victim kept alive via life support in a hospital, set to a slow, queasy rhythm and distorted echo effects. Elsewhere, the album displays flashes of TG's live energy, with P-Orridge caterwauling over the brief "Hit by a Rock" and "Blood on the Floor," and "Dead on Arrival" being a trippy, electrifying group jam. Typical of the band's morbid sense of humor, they also include a track consisting of death threats left on their answering machine. One of TG's grimmest, most disturbing records, D.o.A is easily one of their most compelling. 

Bass Guitar, Violin [Violins], Vocals – Genesis P-Orridge
Lead Guitar, Effects, Tape [Tapes] – Cosey Fanni Tutti
Remastered By [Digitally Re-mastered] – Chris Carter
Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Drum Programming [Electronic Rhythms], Tape [Tapes] – Chris Carter Tape [Tapes], Electronics [Machines] – Peter Christopherson
Notes
A few words about this record: for various reasons we have decided to include a solo track by each of the four individual group members. We think you may find this illuminating. The recordings are in stereo throughout and on certain tracks you may find it preferable to listen on headphones, though it is by no means essential. Explanatory details about individual tracks are as follows:

"I.B.M." was inspired by a found cassette sent by Mark Eyles.
"Hit By A Rock" was recorded live at Highbury Roundhouse, London in September 1977.
"Valley Of The Shadow Of Death" was recorded and arranged by Peter Christopherson.
"Dead On Arrival" was recorded live at A.T.C., Goldsmiths College, London in May 1978.
"Weeping" uses four types of acoustic violin through a space-echo played and arranged by Genesis P-Orridge, the lyrics are co-written by Genesis P-Orridge and Ewa Zajac.
"Hamburger Lady" was inpired by a section of a letter from Dr. Al Ackerman of Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
"Hometime" was played, recorded and arranged by Cosey Fanni Tutti.
"AB/7A" was played, produced, arranged and recorded by Chris Carter.
"Death Threats" was taken unaltered off our telephone answering machine.
"Walls Of Sound" was recorded live at five locations during the last year.
"Blood On The Floor" was recorded live at Highbury Roundhouse, London in September 1977.
The remaining material was gathered on location or recorded at the studios of Industrial Records, to whom, as ever, our thanks are due.

Information above was taken from the cover notes.

Tracks 14/15 from the single We Hate You (Little Girls) / Five Knuckle Shuffle.