Post by Kevin on Aug 11, 2003 11:10:19 GMT -5
Band: The Hidden Hand
Album: Divine Propaganda
Format: CD
Label: MeteorCity
Time: 37 Minutes
Year: 2003
Track List:
Bellicose Rhetoric
Damyata
Screw the Naysayers
Sunblood
For all the Wrong Reasons
Tranquility Base
The Last Tree
The Hidden Hand (theme)
Divine Propaganda
Prayer for the Night
Band Site: www.thehiddenhand.com/
The Hidden Hand’s ‘Divine Propaganda’ is the best thing Wino’s been involved with for years. Rounded out by the tight-as-hell rhythm section of Bruce Falkinburg (bass, vox) and Dave Hennessy (drums), The Hidden Hand explores new territory for Wino, long known as one of the leading lights of old-school Maryland-style doom. Fans of Wino’s previous work with St. Vitus, Obsessed, and Spirit Caravan will definitely be interested in The Hidden Hand, which touches on psych, prog, and even punk while infusing it with an underlying sense of doom.
‘Divine Propaganda’ also explores politics and the mechanisms of social control, subjects hinted at in past work but not fully revealed. But, lest anyone think that the record is overly preachy, it ain’t. After all, its only rock and roll, right? Even the most political of musics can’t really go totally in-depth on the subject, because the craft of songwriting demands attention to such things as rhythm and melody, all of which have to be integrated into the whole. So, for the real deal behind the philosophy in the lyrics, go to the list of suggested reading behind the CD, ‘k? In the meantime, keep the disc on because the group is breaking some new ground here, from the punk feel of ‘Screw the Naysayers’ to the hypnotic, spiritual ‘Prayer for the Night’ to the Spirit Caravan-esque beginning section of ‘The Last Tree,’ which ends up going all over the map. Throughout the disc the group interplay is very strong, with the rhythm just as prominent as the guitar. The feel is energetic, with plenty o’ heavy grooves and groovin’ guitar tone. And those solos! Yeah, Wino’s back all right.
For most of the western world, this MeteorCity release will be the first they’ve heard of The Hidden Hand, which was released earlier on Germany’s Exile on Mainstream label to coincide with a European tour. Well, as usual MeteorCity’s come up with a serious contender, one that will make a lot of “Top 5’s” for the year. You’ve been warned.
Kevin McHugh
Album: Divine Propaganda
Format: CD
Label: MeteorCity
Time: 37 Minutes
Year: 2003
Track List:
Bellicose Rhetoric
Damyata
Screw the Naysayers
Sunblood
For all the Wrong Reasons
Tranquility Base
The Last Tree
The Hidden Hand (theme)
Divine Propaganda
Prayer for the Night
Band Site: www.thehiddenhand.com/
The Hidden Hand’s ‘Divine Propaganda’ is the best thing Wino’s been involved with for years. Rounded out by the tight-as-hell rhythm section of Bruce Falkinburg (bass, vox) and Dave Hennessy (drums), The Hidden Hand explores new territory for Wino, long known as one of the leading lights of old-school Maryland-style doom. Fans of Wino’s previous work with St. Vitus, Obsessed, and Spirit Caravan will definitely be interested in The Hidden Hand, which touches on psych, prog, and even punk while infusing it with an underlying sense of doom.
‘Divine Propaganda’ also explores politics and the mechanisms of social control, subjects hinted at in past work but not fully revealed. But, lest anyone think that the record is overly preachy, it ain’t. After all, its only rock and roll, right? Even the most political of musics can’t really go totally in-depth on the subject, because the craft of songwriting demands attention to such things as rhythm and melody, all of which have to be integrated into the whole. So, for the real deal behind the philosophy in the lyrics, go to the list of suggested reading behind the CD, ‘k? In the meantime, keep the disc on because the group is breaking some new ground here, from the punk feel of ‘Screw the Naysayers’ to the hypnotic, spiritual ‘Prayer for the Night’ to the Spirit Caravan-esque beginning section of ‘The Last Tree,’ which ends up going all over the map. Throughout the disc the group interplay is very strong, with the rhythm just as prominent as the guitar. The feel is energetic, with plenty o’ heavy grooves and groovin’ guitar tone. And those solos! Yeah, Wino’s back all right.
For most of the western world, this MeteorCity release will be the first they’ve heard of The Hidden Hand, which was released earlier on Germany’s Exile on Mainstream label to coincide with a European tour. Well, as usual MeteorCity’s come up with a serious contender, one that will make a lot of “Top 5’s” for the year. You’ve been warned.
Kevin McHugh