Space rock; Jazz rock; Neo psych
Latest: Goat (2024). To be released Oct 11.
Requiem (2016)
Mid 1970s Embryo, Archimedes Badkar, and Kebnekaise all mashed up and distilled for the modern age. I dig it. Immensely so.
So the above represented by quick scratch off review. In listening again, I don't have that much more to add. Clearly the band are about indigenous ancient traditions - mixed with the psychedelic. Mostly African, but also the original inhabitants of South America too. My initial three bands listed above all have history with recording music with African musicians, and/or at least focusing on the continent exclusively. I would also add Los Jaivas to this mix as a good representation of South America. Then I'd add a bit of Flasket Brinner, when Goat turn on the psychedelic aspect of their sound. The album runs the gamut of the 1970s, where the first part of the decade is psych oriented, and the latter half of the decade was more into the exploratory spirit of World Fusion. While I'll maintain my 4 star rating, I have two small complaints that hold it back from being an even higher rating. 1) Some of the instrumentals have an excellent premise that they do little with. 'Temple Rhythms' in particular is just screaming for some guitar soloing. The tribal drums and wood flutes provide the perfect backdrop. But rather it just repeats itself rather than progress. I'm sure that's the point - to create a trance like state. But for this listener, it would have been devastating to hear it developed. 2) The female vocals here sound like annoying wails rather anything associated with singing. To be honest, it sounds bitchy as opposed to transcendental. Fortunately the album isn't dominated by them.
Small gripes to an otherwise excellent release. I love that modern bands are revisiting these musical areas that were abandoned all too quickly back in the day.
---12/17/16
Commune (2014)
Commune is the second album from Sweden's Goat, a band I've tracked from the beginning. Like fellow countrymen Dungen, Goat is one of those bands that have inexplicably gained a relatively large following despite playing a style of music that doesn't usually garner such. There can be no doubt that Goat have tapped into the psychedelic strain that was so very prominent in the early 1970's Swedish landscape. And the country seems to have always had a predilection for mixing far away indigenous music into that unique strain. In this case for Goat, that would be the Saharan music of the Tuareg's. Apparently - unbeknownst to me - there's a subgenre that has been recently born that defines the electrified form of this music: Tishoumaren. I'm a novice on that point, but regardless, Goat has basically infused a new ingredient into an old recipe. Ignoring any cultural, spiritual, or political messaging, one can focus on the music itself. A music that is highly melodic, with tribal drumming, female chanting, and deliciously wicked fuzz guitar. The album gets stronger as it goes, and by the time we reach the summit with 'Hide From the Sun' (strange title if we're summiting, perhaps they were cave dwelling. I digress...) - you too will be having your very own spiritual moments. And for this, Goat has completely succeeded. If a title like Flasket Brinner Goes to Mali sounds enticing, then may I suggest Commune to you?
---6/27/18
Other albums heard: World Music (2012). I also own Oh Death (2022) but haven't heard it yet.
12/17/16 (new entry)
Having seen them several times in concert, I think it's the discoid/groovy aspect of their rhythm section that has propelled them to "stardom" status. It pays tribute to the ritualistic aspect of their performance while simultaneously fits effortlessly with the "in" crowd.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point Spyros! Sort of a more accessible Korai Orom in that way.
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