Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Folk/Folkrock, Ambient | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 158 / 3-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Cherry Red | Autor: MaB
News had been circulating for months that two highly independent musicians had come together for a joint project: on the one hand Peter Hammill, an eternally driven man who had recorded some of the most exciting records in prog history with Van der Graaf Generator and had never lost his artistic curiosity with his numerous solo works; on the other hand Gary Lucas, an experimental guitarist who had once played with Captain Beefheart and helped Jeff Buckley on the road to success, but had himself fallen by the wayside. The Buckley episode is long forgotten. Lucas finally found a like-minded partner again, with whom he immediately harmonized during the sessions in the English city of Bath. Hammill also confirms this: "From the very first note it was clear that we were on the same wavelength, and the project unfolded rapidly. After only a few days we knew that we had the basis for an album." The surprising thing about "Other World" is that the 14 tracks also work wonderfully without a band. Hammill and Lucas share the guitar parts and sound like a small orchestra, e.g. in the raptured instrumentals "Built From Scratch" and "Attar Of Roses". Outside of the world it also happens in "Reboot", which begins weightlessly and degenerates into a war of stars. But "Other World" also offers great tracks for "normal listeners". "Kith And Kin" is a touching ode to transience. And in "The Kid" Hammill sings about the Faustian pact of a young man who gets involved in the music business and mercilessly goes under. With "Other World" everyone gets his money's worth who likes good songs, disturbing soundscapes and exciting guitar music.
Top Track: This Is Showbiz
