Luckily the music matches the anticipation; this is as good a set of alternative, stumbling blues-rock as you’re likely to hear this twelvemonth and there’s the added bonus of J Mascis drumming here and there.
Luckily the music matches the anticipation; this is as good a set of alternative, stumbling blues-rock as you’re likely to hear this twelvemonth and there’s the added bonus of J Mascis drumming here and there.
MV & EE with the Golden Road – Gettin’ Gone
http://www.konkurrent.nl/ http://www.ecstaticpeace.com/
Anyone who uses the word Kosmische in their sleeve notes gets Top Marks from me. And that’s not taking into account the beautifully crafted artwork and picture of a benevolent dog on the cover. All these things count when you’re reviewing, let me tell you. Luckily the music matches the anticipation; this is as good a set of alternative, stumbling blues-rock as you’re likely to hear this twelvemonth and there’s the added bonus of J Mascis drumming here and there.
It starts off with the stately grumble of Susquehana which seems content to throw sonic shapes around until a blistering guitar line shreds all that’s gone before. And Mr. Mascis can really bash the skins. It sounds like some form of catharsis for him… Hammer is a seven minute stoned behemoth, slumberous at times though always on the brink of bursting into life; the track is augmented by an odd Sunburned Hand of the Man member (they get everywhere don’t they, Sunburned?) Its raw stuff in parts, Speed Queen is brilliant, as is Mamma My, a killer stomp with yowling vocals, unconcerned with anything but its own sedate progress.
There are beautiful moments too; it’s not all hollering or jamming, I promise. The Burden is fabulous slice of sickly-sweet melancholia, I Got Caves is a pedal steel bliss-out, and Easy Livin’ is a beautiful observation, set off beautifully with some very intelligent guitar playing.
Worth hunting down if you like backporch hollering.
Words: Richard Foster.