What better way to brag up one of the most consistent labels in the game by killing two records with one small stone. Featured in this episode just so happen to be two records I received in the mail just the other day and have been yammering about for a while.
Take 1:
Jeremy Irons & The Ratgang Malibus - Spirit Knife
This album has been perhaps the most interesting record I've
listened to all year. I'll be honest and say when I first listened I must not
have been fully engaged as I wasn't bragging it up until months later after
giving it a random spin. As with every single release on the Small Stone roster
the expectation level is high and the return on those expectations is usually
met. With the Ratgang Malibus, expectations were superseded with a fondness not
often felt with a new music release.
For those that listen to music fanatically, like me, you may
start to get a bit jaded over time and your listening preference tends to seek
out tunes that are off the beaten path, yet still have that familiar buzz
within the neighborhood of your normal taste. Spirit Knife is exactly that. I
can confidently say that nothing quite comes as close to nailing its own genre
with my name on it as does this release.
Side A wastes no time in lassoing your soul with the opening
track, “Fog by the Steep.” Slowly building and completely haunting the living
hell out of me in exciting fashion, the calm psychedelic intro breaks
ferociously into a jagged vocal scream searing straight to your core. The
intense storm of foggy riffs encapsulate a sense of bewilderment amongst its
passionate cries. I could, and have played this song over and over as its 10
minute duration keeps you on the edge of your earbuds the entire time. As the A
side continues, the classic Zeppelin-esque vibe ignites like 1970’s grade
leaded octane. Misty fuzz laden grooves swirl to a tribal rhythm as Karl Apelmo
echoes a mesmerizing harmony. Elements of classic, stoner and psychedelic rock,
present themselves on any given moment throughout, ranging from precision
solos, to hallucinogenic moans of psychotic grandeur, to meditative lullabies.
Side B continues the spirit of mystical enchantment with
more wondrous wailing. Starting off similar to the kickoff of side A, “Clang's”
high energy force palpitates like a stampeding buffalo's heart throbs in an
Indian chief's hands. Ritualistic fuzz steams into the spirit world of riff
rock. “Point Growth” tans the album's hide with a dreamy tempo taking the trail
of tears towards the closing title track. “Spirit Knife” slits the spiritual
vein and transfuses its cerebral prowess unto the aural canal.
It may have taken a few spins to set in but JIRM left a
lasting impression on me taking it straight to the top of the Small Stone
throne. And I'll say it again. Unless you're living under a large one, Small
Stone is on your radar and they have been annihilating the competition with consistently great releases thus far in 2014. I quickly grabbed the dark blue
transparent 180g vinyl LP as soon as I saw it available and it's quickly
becoming one of my most played albums on the turntable. I'm not gonna be one of
those guys and say "it sounds better on vinyl" but I will say
"it's a great sound for vinyl" as some albums just are. Well worth
your money for a fantastic sound, sexy look and dynamite artwork.
Take 2:
The Socks – S/T
One of Small Stone’s newest members The Socks released their
Small Stone self-titled debut on March 18, 2014. That's right folks, “The
Socks”. As I read in an early review, and agree to an extent, The Socks isn't
the most enticing band name. Or you can look at it as it is in fact the MOST
questionably genius band name? Who knows, it screams for sarcastic comparisons
and puns but the main thing is they are on a trusted label and the music rhymes
with socks (it ROCKS).
First off, we can ignore it but how about that cover
artwork? What the fuck is that? We can't really let it go. It really stares you
down. I see beaks and feathers, roots and leaves, and those goddamn colors are
magnificent. The cover art is a fantastic display that overcomes the mediocre
title to say the least.
The Socks represent a New Wave of Retro Heavy Metal. That's
right, why don't we just start it now? NWORHM? Maybe it's already out there,
maybe we can just leave it at a joke? But there are enough bands out there
successfully producing that throwback sound while utilizing the modern day tools
that increase the flavor to warrant some kind of cult tag. The Socks are no
joke; the record possesses 70's inspired hooks laced with the almighty organ,
and vocals that beg for attention.
One can't help but make comparisons to NWORHM giants
Graveyard and late era Witchcraft pop with the overall tone and style. Adding a
bit of flair to the attire The Socks combine not only the flooded retro
sensibility but craft a trippy, yet completely competent and seriously
invigorating display of rock and roll. Chalk full of not only guitar solos
galore, but bits of bluesy fuzz-o-rama. Hints of psychedelia add warmth and
comfort, not unlike a great pair of socks…
The album is a full course meal by all means. Guitars, bass,
drums, organ, and superb vocals combine in harmony throughout each and every
track. At this stage it's hard to tell whom the Small Stone band of the year is
(Well I voted JIRM already), but The Socks are in the running. Either way you
look at it The Socks will..... wait for it...... KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!!
You can stream both The Socks, JIRM and most all the other
releases up at the Small Stone bandcamp page and hurry up if you want to grab a
vinyl edition. I can attest they do a
great job and the records look sexy as fuck!
-The Huntsman
Listen and/or purchase below.
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