folk / psychedelic / experimental
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Rejoice! J. Kill & Mr. Mule return with another splendid full-length. This Finnish one-man project has been delivering interesting psychedelic folk trips in the past, and this album faithfully follows that tradition, much to my delight. As I mentioned in my previous review (read), "sometimes experimental music can be minimal but expressive and insightful pop songs". Yes, this is experimental, but it still contains excellent and fragile pop songs.
On the other hand, there is plenty of room for other things as well. In the first three tracks alone, I hear influences from folk, jazz, noise and post rock. Opener 'Kuihtuva Kehä' builds upon influences from Nick Cave or Tom Waits while 'Ruosteen Huuto' drags in some experimental electronics. 'Elo' in its turn, sounds like an acoustic version of an immersive post rock anthem. 'Varjojen Maa' brings back memories of neo folk bands like Death In June, Forseti or Wardruna.
What I like also about this album, besides the impressive amount of variation, is the fact that the artist leaves plenty of room for instrumental passages. With those, he nudges towards the drone ambient scene, without being a drone ambient artist himself. Perhaps, when Master Musicians Of Bukkake or Om go acoustic, they might sound a bit like this. With that in mind, I would mind witnessing this stuff at some Desertfest or so.
My favorite track on this album is 'Kyyn Tie' and there is one very good reason for that. This song sounds like it comes straight from the Twin Peaks soundtrack. Yes, dark jazz galore with a narrative spoken word and a gloomy atmosphere, irresistible for a dark jazz aficionado like yours truly. Now I definitely want to see this live, dammit. I'm not sure if that will ever happen but this song, and the whole album, is going straight into my day-to-day playlist.
And I suggest you do the same. This is DIY-stuff from a very high level. If you are into anything between Nick Cave, Chelsea Wolfe, Swans and William Burroughs, you need this album. If you like Ween, you'll love 'Vankila'. I know I do. So, I think it's pretty clear that this act has shoved another great piece of music into my mailbox, psychedelic folk music straight from the heart. This comes highly recommended, that's for damn sure...
Serge
On the other hand, there is plenty of room for other things as well. In the first three tracks alone, I hear influences from folk, jazz, noise and post rock. Opener 'Kuihtuva Kehä' builds upon influences from Nick Cave or Tom Waits while 'Ruosteen Huuto' drags in some experimental electronics. 'Elo' in its turn, sounds like an acoustic version of an immersive post rock anthem. 'Varjojen Maa' brings back memories of neo folk bands like Death In June, Forseti or Wardruna.
What I like also about this album, besides the impressive amount of variation, is the fact that the artist leaves plenty of room for instrumental passages. With those, he nudges towards the drone ambient scene, without being a drone ambient artist himself. Perhaps, when Master Musicians Of Bukkake or Om go acoustic, they might sound a bit like this. With that in mind, I would mind witnessing this stuff at some Desertfest or so.
My favorite track on this album is 'Kyyn Tie' and there is one very good reason for that. This song sounds like it comes straight from the Twin Peaks soundtrack. Yes, dark jazz galore with a narrative spoken word and a gloomy atmosphere, irresistible for a dark jazz aficionado like yours truly. Now I definitely want to see this live, dammit. I'm not sure if that will ever happen but this song, and the whole album, is going straight into my day-to-day playlist.
And I suggest you do the same. This is DIY-stuff from a very high level. If you are into anything between Nick Cave, Chelsea Wolfe, Swans and William Burroughs, you need this album. If you like Ween, you'll love 'Vankila'. I know I do. So, I think it's pretty clear that this act has shoved another great piece of music into my mailbox, psychedelic folk music straight from the heart. This comes highly recommended, that's for damn sure...
Serge