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 .

Image credits:

The Black Angels

In the car

MP3: Wolf Parade – “Language City”

I was never a huge fan of Rugby’s Spiritualized, though I have a great friend whose musical opinion I respect who has always tried to sell me on the spacey act. I think I may finally be sold. This track from last month’s “Songs in A & E” is stellar.

MP3: Spiritualized – “Soul on Fire”

The Dandy Warhols made one of the best sing-along albums of the decade with 2000’s “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia”. They’ve never been as close to that good since. That’s not to say that subsequent albums are bad, quite the contrary. Their latest LP, “…Earth To The Dandy Warhols…” marches further toward musical maturity while retaining a healthy dose of dandy cheekiness.

MP3: The Dandy Warhols – “The World, The People, Together (Come On)”

You Me & Iowa seem to have little to do with the start for which they’re named other than occasionally dressing like farm boys on their way to church on Sunday. The L.A. quintet released an album full of psychedelically tinged pop last month.

MP3: You, Me & Iowa – “Dress The Stage”

There’s nothing particularly novel about Firewater, but their’s something compelling about their gypsy-esque post-punk. I found that Firewater’s Tod A. sounded a lot like Mike Ness, not a bad thing. Their sixth long player, “The Golden Hour”, came out last month.

MP3: Firewater – “Electric City”

I may have been predisposed to The Saturday Knights because of the title of the single they sent along. But beyond the canine-friendly song title, the Seattle trio is throwing around refreshing hip-hop inspired pop or, depending on your perspective, pop inspired hip-hop. “Mingle” is out on the 24th of June from Light In the Attic.

MP3: The Saturday Knights -”Dog Park”

Staten Island’s Happy Anarchy’s sophomore LP “Reset” is earning them comparisons to Modest Mouse, Mercury Rev, Built to Spill and their ilk. With soaring, sunshiny melodies and dense guitars those comparisons aren’t too far off. “Reset” came out in May on Highlark Records.

MP3: Happy Anarchy – “Is That Right”

Regular readers of A Free Man will know the respect that I’ve got for the Swedish music scene right now. Kleerup’s a bit dancey for my taste, but this track, featuring fellow Swedish chanteuse Lykke Li is pure electro-pop pleasure.

MP3: Kleerup (Feat Lykke Li) – “Until We Bleed (Mikael’s Cello Version)”

London based Sunny Day Sets Fire features a global line-up, with musicians from four countries coming together in a way that The Big Smoke encourages. Their music has a tendency to be as diverse as their backgrounds, but when on form they’re fantastic. “Summer Palace”, their debut LP, is out in July from I Am Sound.

MP3: Sunny Day Sets Fire – “Brainless”

Last, but not least, is the latest offering from one of A Free Man’ s favorite indie labels – Series Two. Known for their Swedish acts, Series Two seems to be branching into Asia. Flannel is a Japanese guy working out of his bedroom and, in the spirit of guys working out of their bedrooms, is making some surprisingly good introspective pop music. His debut LP, “Dear Something, Dear Someone” is available from Series Two.

MP3: Flannel – “Morning, About Mill and Mugs”

-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.

MP3: The Black Angels – “Science Killers”
MP3: The Black Angels – “You On The Run”
MP3: The Black Angels – “The First Vietnamese War” (from “Passover”)

The Black Angels “Directions to See A Ghost” (Light In The Attic) was released for download on Tuesday on or eMusic. Order the wax, due on May 13, from Amazon