Former Wire frontman Newman is an extremely influential art punk who"s consistently stretched the boundaries of what can be done in rock & roll. So it"s extremely disappointing that Bastard not only lack vocals, but is extremely dull. Newman says in his press kit that he was inspired by the post-rock bands on Chicago"s Kranky and Thrill Jockey labels--in particular Tortoise. But what he really means is that he was prompted to include some organic instrumental sounds (mostly drums and guitars) in unremarkable ambient house instrumentals such as "Slowfast (Falling Down the Stairs With A Drumkit)." Don"t you hate it when your heroes disappoint you? Jim Derogatis