I sold a copy of the new Band of
Skulls to an elderly woman this morning.
I was by myself in the shop and I tossed on their new record. Almost immediately after it started,
this woman and her daughter walked in.
Initially I was asked questions about Duke Ellington (by the daughter)
and the mother was quiet. After
assisting the younger of the two women, I was asked by the mother what was
playing. I told her “This is Band
of Skulls new album ‘Himalayas’”.
She responded by telling me all the things that she loved about it and
my jaw dropped. Himalayas is
HEAVY, not only in tonality, but also in terms of content. She told me she found it
fascinating and that she would listen to it while playing Grand Theft Auto
V. I am not making this up or
exaggerating in any way. Coolest.
Customer. Ever.
The album itself is a sonic
wonderland. It is reminiscent of
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “Specter at the Feast” in the sense that it
changes mood and feel determined by the song’s underlying lyrical theme, sometimes
within the same song. For a band I
would consider “post-garage-rock” they are incredibly dynamic. One second letting a guitar ring out
with hushed singing, the next smothering the sonic spectrum with a huge riff
played in unison.
Maybe it’s because the sun is out,
but I am ready for some real rock and roll. Himalayas delivers it in its purest, freshest form. They are an amalgamation of down and
dirty fuzz tone, and cool semi-driven telecaster jangle, big ass drums, and
bass with depth you can feel in your gut.
However, they are not a one trick pony by any means. On “Cold Sweat” they begin with what
sounds like a telecaster run through heavy modulation and delay with the
repeats turned way up. The song
quickly begins to move away from the unison riff-ery and turns moody and almost
post rock in terms of tone. I love the switch between male and female vocals that
occurs almost seamlessly, (Emma Richardson, the bassist and vocalist – check
out her other band with Jack White, Dead
Weather). I have found my
favorite record of 2014 so far, and will be investigating their back
catalogue.
Come into Lakeshore and pick up the
vinyl, it sounds fantastic, and comes with a gorgeous limited edition
lithograph.
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