The Plateau Phase

The Plateau Phase was the first album released by post-punk band Crispy Ambulance. It was released in 1982 and was a departure to the sound of the earlier singles which was considered to be closer to the sound of post-punk contemporaries Joy Division. It reached number 21 on the UK Indie Charts by the months of May and April 1982.

Contents

• Crispy ambulance we move through the plateau phase 1982
• Crispy ambulance we move through the plateau phase the plateau phase factory benelux 1982
• Original Track Listing
• CD reissue
• Songs
• References

It received harsh criticism at the time, a typical example being this review by Mat Snow for NME:

This is one of the most pretentious, turgid and tedious LPs I've ever heard. Slavish imitation of Joy Division doth not good music make. All the trade-marks are there -relentless inverted drumming, ominous bass lines, dramatic flanged guitar, bleak synth washes and a lone desperate voice. But whereas Joy Division were sincere and inspired in their depiction of obsession, loss and desolation, Crispy Ambulance are portentous, inane and very, very boring.

Retrospective criticism was more positive, e.g. Ned Raggett, AllMusic:

The Plateau Phase boldly aimed to stand out as an experimental rock album and achieved its goal with style and power. With tips of the hat to everyone from early-'70s Pink Floyd and aggro Krautrock to the later song-smashings of Throbbing Gristle, The Plateau Phase isn't an out-and-out masterpiece, but comes awfully close.