On their latest release, Vocokesh serves up heaping does of heavy, droning, acidic spacerock, and floating ambient soundscapes. The music is primarily the work of Richard Franecki (ex-F/i) who plays guitar, electric sitar, dulcimer, bass, and electronics. Franecki is joined by Jan Schober on drums and percussion, and John Helwig plays bass on three of the seven tracks. The disc opens with "Paradise Revisited a", the beginning of which contains an eerie organ melody, synths, and spacey guitar lines. About three minutes into the tune a steady drum beat comes in and the guitar starts to crunch while the organ and synths continue. Franecki's psych guitar solos slowly against what becomes an enormous wall of intergalactic drone. The rhythm and beat of the tune remains simplistic, but it's power lies in the intense and somewhat disturbing atmosphere that is created. The spirit of F/i is much in evidence though Franecki's guitar leads are psych influenced whereas F/i's music has become more metallic. "Dusk In The Garden Of Vocokesh" is a lethargically ambient piece that begins with a busy conglomeration of electronics and wood block sounding percussion. Acoustic psych guitar soon joins and meanders along in a sort of drugged out other-world manner against ocean wave synths and the prominent percussion bits. "The Circle Is The Square" is a heavy rocker which again reminded me of F/i. Heavy psych that is droning, but will carry you away to unexplored realms. These guys make simplicity sound so good. Eight minutes of repeating riffs and rhythms that sound and feel great against a wall of orchestral space textures. "One Brief Glimpse At The Face Of Oblivion", at 17 minutes is the CD's magnum opus. Another ambient track with an intense atmosphere includes some freaky synth work that makes this sound like an industrial version of Tangerine Dream. The last several minutes consist of crunch guitar and psych riffing. Lots of good music and ideas here but I don't think the song's length is justified. Chop off about seven minutes and it's a killer tune. "Quest" and "Paradise Revisited b" are interesting pieces in that they introduce Middle Eastern flavors. The later is the stronger tune and a bit on the abstract side. It's heavenly electronics and seemingly found sounds, clangs, bangs, and bells make for a weird trip. Overall a very strong set that works hard at working with both the heavier and more ambient sides of spacerock.Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs