Customer Reviews

Wooden Shjips

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

 

 

If you like a Doorsy vocal, steadily repetitive neo-psychedelic mid-tempo sound, this album, all of half an hour, should prove a low-intensity pleasure. While I don't favor Jim Morrison in the original, I don't mind the singing style of the lead singer. He's able to insinuate himself into the guitar-drums-bass-keyboard swirl. If you like tunes that blur into one another as mood music, ones that go in and out of focus as you give yourself over to their single-minded approach, this will bore into you, subtly but steadily.

There's nothing self-aggrandizing about the sonic innovations here. This isn't meant as a criticism. Don't expect any grandstanding on the gloomy, brooding, melancholy restlessness that this S.F.-meets-Brooklyn band delivers. They like this monochromatic texture, which slowly shifts as if somber clouds drifting over a greying, darkening sky.

The group's other record, a compilation of early singles originally released in a limited edition with this self-titled one but now as Volume 1 (also reviewed by me) has appeared separately, shows a more Spaceman-3, staticky and Krautrock-inspired drone. By comparison, there's a tighter, if more slow-burning, approach on this eponymous CD, apparently their later work. This shows increasing movement towards music that's akin in its doomsday threats and understated tension to the Austin, Texas, ensemble The Black Angels.

this is a awesome, terrific psychedelic stoner rock in the best Blue Cheer/Mammatus/ early Comets on Fire tradition. I exepect a collaboration with Six Organs of Admittance's Ben chasny or a jam with Magic Markers' elisa Ambrogio. never drugged inspired rock sounded so good lately.Get this record as soon as the bonus cd is included!

It's like a pulse. Perfectly rhythmic. Dripping surreal Mod. That kind of lava-lamp trippy feel but more high, man, like groovy. It's a presentation of musical landscapes from yesteryear. "Blue Sky Bends" is worth it alone. The blossoming inward and outward process of a sunrise from "Shine Like Suns." A campfire bloom of victory for this group, they show the world of today that older music was really deep altering of the reality to bring it joy. These are sounds of joy. Basic, roots, but imagining bigger, bolder, wider, a love-making Life. Breaking free and riding across the sea with Wooden Shjips.
{{{{{((((in glorious HIGH-fidelity stereo))))}}}}}