psychedelic rock / electronic / krautrock
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Time to start writing a few reviews again after taking several days off. And why not start with the most difficult one, an amalgamation of musical styles and influences. I mean, usually things are quite easy to describe but when the first three minutes of an album already remind me of The Beatles, Ween, Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Massive Attack and the second song throws in some funk and soul, you know you're in for an adventure.
The Good Library formed back in 1996 in Vienna, Austria. since then, they have been paving their own path in the world of psychedelic rock and krautrock. Their songs evolve from elaborate jam sessions, and you can clearly hear that. From opener 'Ice Throat' to the hypnotic closer 'Tantum', this album feels like a massive journey on many different levels. I'll try to guide you through with a song-by-song description.
The album opens with 'Ice Throat', which seems to combine post-rock with either The Beatles or The Jesus And Mary Chain. There's also something trip-hoppy in here, caused by the electronics and the soundscapes. In all, it's a perfect opening track. 'Goldfish' opens with electronic beats, a bit similar to the stuff Tricky does. Yet, shortly after, a funky bassline kicks in and we're shaking our asses off. My mind just made up the term "doom disco". Don't ask me why...
'The Floating Afterwards' is a classic krautrock tune that not only brings acts like Can or Grobschnitt to mind but also Ween. 'Mutant' is one of my favorites here, a mid-tempo but highly danceable blend of soundscapes and Herbaliser drums, including a psychedelic guitar solo. 'Flight 19' is another favorite, slow, gloomy, alienating and hypnotic as hell. That being said, there is something ritual, something shamanic about the vocals on this one.
'Beekeeper' takes us back to that psychedelic Beatles sound and seems to borrow a few guitar licks from the country scene while 'Man On Fire' delves deep into the world of new wave and, again, krautrock. Closer 'Tantrum' finishes the whole thing in style, perhaps a bit more electronic and danceable sounding than the other tracks. But rest assured, dear reader, you can dance and groove on this whole album and I suggest you start doing in right now...
​Serge
The Good Library formed back in 1996 in Vienna, Austria. since then, they have been paving their own path in the world of psychedelic rock and krautrock. Their songs evolve from elaborate jam sessions, and you can clearly hear that. From opener 'Ice Throat' to the hypnotic closer 'Tantum', this album feels like a massive journey on many different levels. I'll try to guide you through with a song-by-song description.
The album opens with 'Ice Throat', which seems to combine post-rock with either The Beatles or The Jesus And Mary Chain. There's also something trip-hoppy in here, caused by the electronics and the soundscapes. In all, it's a perfect opening track. 'Goldfish' opens with electronic beats, a bit similar to the stuff Tricky does. Yet, shortly after, a funky bassline kicks in and we're shaking our asses off. My mind just made up the term "doom disco". Don't ask me why...
'The Floating Afterwards' is a classic krautrock tune that not only brings acts like Can or Grobschnitt to mind but also Ween. 'Mutant' is one of my favorites here, a mid-tempo but highly danceable blend of soundscapes and Herbaliser drums, including a psychedelic guitar solo. 'Flight 19' is another favorite, slow, gloomy, alienating and hypnotic as hell. That being said, there is something ritual, something shamanic about the vocals on this one.
'Beekeeper' takes us back to that psychedelic Beatles sound and seems to borrow a few guitar licks from the country scene while 'Man On Fire' delves deep into the world of new wave and, again, krautrock. Closer 'Tantrum' finishes the whole thing in style, perhaps a bit more electronic and danceable sounding than the other tracks. But rest assured, dear reader, you can dance and groove on this whole album and I suggest you start doing in right now...
​Serge
