It was Boy Z and Papa Party Day today which means that I am, as usual, brain dead. Lucky for me I already wrote a pretty thorough review of my choice for the ninth best album by an unsigned artist or an artist signed to a truly independent label. So, I’m going to take the easy way out and refer back to my review from earlier this year. “Directions to See a Ghost” (Light In The Attic) is the sophomore LP from Austin’s The Black Angels. As you can probably guess from the name of the band, these guys are not a shiny, happy pop group but they are a damn fine rock band.

Here’s my review from back in April:

Well, he came without warning
like 10,000 men swarming.
Right out of the sky, like a torch
in the night.
The rocks were screaming, and
the sand it was breathing.
I’ve been here before,
When I was killed in a war.

-The Black Angels – “The Return (a warning to prepare)”

Austin’s The Black Angels sophomore LP stomped its’ way on to the interwebs this week ahead of its CD release date in May. A Free Man is still feeling the aftershocks. The Texan sextet is capable of a big sound. “Directions to See A Ghost” is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed “Passover” and represents a musical progression from the debut. The new
record is dark, droningly hypnotic a mixture of harmonic riffs and pounding martial rhythms. The Black Angels are recognizably the band that played “Passover” but they’ve nailed down a sound that they are happy with, they rarely diverge from a trudging tempo – reminiscent of the Velvet Underground or the Melvins, they lean heavily on 60’s inspired vocals in the style of Grace Slick or Jim Morrison and they throw in the occasional psychedelic guitar or sitar solo.

The Black Angels, however, are far more than apologists for 60’s music or a house band for a “hippie party”. There are songs like “18 Years” that open with the sunshine chimes of a 60’s girl band before Dave Gahan-esque vocals and dirging guitars take the listener to a place that hasn’t seen the sunshine in quite some time. The faster tempo and brighter tone or “Science Killer” is sucked back down to the dirt as “Mission District” creeps, predatory with glimpses of the Lizard King in the vocals. The sitar chimes in sporadically hearkening the music of the East but, In general the record stomps forward with an almost militaristic rhythm as if The Black Angels would destroy anything in their wake – like Hannibal’s war elephants.

And for me, that works. This is a dark album and lyrically abstract, the songwriting showing an appreciation for or acceptance of pain and evil. There are thinly veiled political tracks like the nod to election day in “Vikings” and historical interpretations “You In Color”. But in general the lyrics are poems to personal darkness:

The curtain surrounds you
you begin to forget
The hammer cracks
the iron core of your mind

The verdict: If you liked the first Black Angels, you’ll love this one. If you’re a fan of Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, Jefferson Airplane, 60’s garage bands, The Doors, or The Velvet Underground – you’ll probably like it. If you’re open minded about your music, “Directions to See A Ghost” is definitely worth a punt.

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Just another reminder about my first contest of the month. Share your best anti-Christmas limerick for a chance to win a couple of my honorable mention CDs and a little something extra. I’ve managed to line up some more prizes for later in the month, so I’m looking for good ideas for another contest – something that is a little bit challenging, inspires a little creativity and is a lot of fun. Hell, let’s have a contest for the best contest idea. I’ve got a promo copy of Salme Dahlstrom’s new album “The Acid Cowgirl Audio Trade” that I’ll give to the person who comes up with the best contest idea. It’s not really my thing, but if you’re into Goldfrapp, Gwen Stefani, Grace Jones or Marianne Faithful – she might just be for you.

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The Black Angels “Directions to See A Ghost” is available from The Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost.

Image credits:

The Black Angels

In the car

The Office - The Office, Season 2 - Office Olympics

 
icon for podpress  The Black Angels - "Never/Ever" [8:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  The Black Angels - "The Return" [4:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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