Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artrock | Heft: Jahrgang 2013, eclipsed Nr. 151 / 6-2013 | VÖ-Jahr: 2013 | Wertung: 7/10 | Label: Eigenvertrieb | Autor: AS
With his third album, which he recorded completely by himself, Tom Slatter from London serves us a Kessel Buntes in Sachen verschrobener Prog, which tells even more eccentric stories. Airships meet flying monsters with huge teeth (title track), there are people who turn themselves into cyborgs with spare parts ("Self Made Man"), strange engines and the like more. Short story writer Ray Bradbury would be proud of these librettos. Yes, Libretti. Because Slatter's music has something of a rock opera. Fortunately, he manages without any pathos or pompousness. He replaces it with dadaistic moments ("Dance, Dance, Dance"), elements of gypsy music ("Mother's Been Talking To Ghosts Again"), fairground flair (see Top-Track) - and a lot of Prog-Ingredienzien, including weird beats. The tempo of the style and mood changes is reminiscent of Mike Keneally, but doesn't seem as stirring and nervous as his music. Even crazy Nordic formations like Gösta Berling's Saga are remembered. And in quieter phases, Slatter could just as easily be a stoned songwriter. Exciting.
Top track: The Engine That Played Through Their Honeymoon