Customer Reviews

Old Lions (in the world of snarling sheep)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If there was ever a "little engine that could" it would without a doubt be Anubis Spire. Recorded in the most primitive of situations almost completely live, this, their debut cd has had an amazing impact out of all proportion to it's humble indy origins. "Old Lions" is packed with mostly instrumental cuts that overflow with gloriously raw, and refreshingly un-selfconscious guitar playing by A.S. mastermind and lead guitarist Bill MacKechnie. Touching upon Arabic, Indian, Celtic and world music in a rock base not that far removed from the proto heavy metal of bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream, A.S. takes it's listeners on a magic carpet ride that doesn't let up from start to finish. While it's doubtful that you'll be hearing them on your commercial radio station any time soon, Anubis Spire have already garnered a sizable cult following that I predict will only continue to grow and will become one of those bands that people will look back upon as a true cult classic.

This is a cool album! It takes a while to get used to but if you're the adventurous type it's well worth it. I bought this on the recommendation of a friend who's guitar playing I really admire. He raved so much that I did a search and found the MP3's online and listened a lot before I bought the CD. It's loaded with really interesting and different guitar instrumentals and plenty of cool extended jams. Guitar players should check out the samples online and get this disk!

Anubis Spire is an indie project spearheaded by a guitar player -a good one, too- name of Bill MacKechnie. Between the looming-sphinx cover art, the irresistable album title, and the vibe of electric-otherness hinted at in the packaging, I figured 'why not take a shot?''.

(But before I get to why I like it, I should point out the production is -well, underwhelming's an appropriately diplomatic term. If there's one thing that gets up my nose, it's when a cd's substandard sound gets excused (even praised!) as "lo-fi". While such a term is excusable in certain contexts -like if the record's authentically 35 years old, or deliberately trying to emulate that kind of antiquity- when you're dealing with a mostly-instrumental rock album featuring musicians who can really play, "lo-fi"'s a dog that won't hunt.)

However, OLD LIONS is pretty nifty regardless, especially if you like a touch of psych mixed into your sonic stew. There are both aggro and mellow moments aplenty here, powered by MacKechnie's slashing guitarwork, which is usually possessed of the kind of swirling, serpentine, slightly-Arabic sound that I'm a hopeless sucker for in a heavy-rock framework. From the moment opener "So Be It" starts to churn, you know you're in for a magic carpet ride of mystery and majesty; prepare to tune out the world for the next hour or so, 'cos the rest of the cd doesn't let you down (even the few vocal numbers work well). Just play it a few notches louder than you normally might to compensate for the slightly muddy sound.

George Harrison is my favorite Beatle. What does this have to do with Anubis Spire? Remember how John was the wit, Paul was the pretty boy and Ringo was the fumbling older brother with a heart of gold? George just kind of stayed in the background with that a "what a load of rubbish" grin and an amused look on his face? Anubis Spire is just like that. You get the impression that they're not very interested in doing anything that the public wants them to. Starting with the disregard of accepted pop/rock formulas to the almost unforgivable sin of a black and white cover, they sail along as if the last ten years in music hadn't happened. What we're left with is a band that makes music so joyfully unassuming that it's hard not to find something to like. They're all good musicians, but more important, they're interesting players. At a time when indy bands pride themselves on how well they can mimic the latest sound, Anubis Spire, like my favorite Beatle, seem to be laying back and watching the show with a bemused smile. OLD LIONS is a great CD! If you are one of those people who can still use your ears to decide your likes and disregard the hype of the music pushers you should give it a listen!

I love this band. Having heard so much over the years, it's refreshing to hear some real genius and innovation as well, taking from the 70's sounds of Pink Floyd and John McLaughlin, as well as 60's King Crimson and Hendrix, mixing in a little of the fusion of Jeff Beck and others. Here's a bit of variety as well as some familiar sounds, but always very original. Warning: it really grows on you, would love to hear more of their original and mindblowing sound as soon as it's off the press. They are as they say "Old Lions", well gifted and conversant in the art, much of which you haven't heard till you hear their album. Just when you thought you had them pegged, they go on a new tangent, always with great originality, and real ear candy for sure, with their lush guitar mixes, solos and very original percussion interpretations.

Anubis Spire guitarist Bill MacKechnie is a bit of a myth and legend around the northeast and especially in New York. His unorthodox, scatter shot, over the top guitar playing coupled with his hatred of the music business and reclusive behavior have made him the "Syd Barrett of guitar" poster boy for some and a target of ridicule for others. With his band Anubis Spire he runs the gamet of styles and emotions that were always evident in his earlier work. It makes for a diverse, if uneven debut CD. From instrumental pieces to almost power ballads and guitar which one minute floats and the next burns, Bill is at his best when he slows down a bit to shake out some of his trademark stratospheric bends. Old Lions could easily have appealed to a larger audience if more care had been taken to make this a more solid showing. Of course then it would have probably lost most of it's raw honesty and charm. I think Anubis Spire has fashioned a CD that is, as they themselves have said, not for everyone. A good debut from a band that promises much more in the future.

These guys play stuff no one out there can easily describe... good luck trying. This is the coolest album I have bought all year, try it, you cant go wrong.

Interesting album for the fan of the guitar music of the 70's and 80's bands like the mahavishnu orchest. and more obsure one's like FM and budgie. You've really got to like long jams to get into this though. I do, so I give this a solid 4 stars. --Phil M.

Incredible guitar work! Wonderful, passionate songs of such complexity and beauty that are appreciated more with every listening!

It'll take a while to warm to this guitarists genius, but it's inevitable. Just when I thought music was dead, along comes ANUBIS SPIRE! Incredible!