Post by thesoundmonitor on Jan 6, 2004 22:52:39 GMT -5
Drunken Gunmen
Deep Space, Distant Future
(Spaced Out Sounds) 505-0002
A quick look at the artwork for Drunken Gunmen's 'Deep
Space, Distant Future' will dispel any doubts about
what this duo is into: space, and lots of it. From
the starship orbiting an alien planet on the front
cover to the song titles on the back - almost all of
which have a decidedly outer space bent - there's not
much doubt about it. The results are somewhat of a
mixed bag.
Apparently in 2002 these dudes turned their backs on
experimental electronics and dance music to
concentrate on space rock. Well, not quite. Remnants
of their former sensibility survive in the electronic
rhythms and (at times) overpolished production values
on 'Deep Space, Distant Future.' 'Journey to the Far
Side of the Sun,' with its electronic drums giving it
a somewhat techno sound, is fairly typical of the
album. The vocals sound rather 80s romantic, even
gothy. The guitar, however, is quite tasty, doing a
serviceable imitation of Nik Turner's sax on
Hawkwind's 'In Search of Space.' Good stuff. 'The
Space Machine' is more rocking, propelled by the
guitars, though the rhythm drags it down. 'Mr. Moon'
is the album's finest tune, with a particularly
memorable vocal melody and the best use of electronic
rhythm on the disc. 'Cosmic Timebomb' is genuinely
weird, wandering into the strange mental states that
space rock sometimes inhabits. The echoing, treated
vocals work well as a paean to acid, and I swear it
sounds like they've got the ghost of Can's Michael
Karoli on guitar.
If Drunken Gunmen really want to go the distance into
the spaced-out realms, then they'll need a good living
and breathing rhythm section, particularly a good
stoned-out skin pounder like Hawkwind's Simon King or
Richard Chadwick. In the meantime, if you like your
space with a strong element of 80s new wave, perhaps adash of Kraftwerk, and a lingering dance vibe, check
out Drunken Gunmen.
Review by: Kevin McHugh
www.spacedoutsounds.com
Deep Space, Distant Future
(Spaced Out Sounds) 505-0002
A quick look at the artwork for Drunken Gunmen's 'Deep
Space, Distant Future' will dispel any doubts about
what this duo is into: space, and lots of it. From
the starship orbiting an alien planet on the front
cover to the song titles on the back - almost all of
which have a decidedly outer space bent - there's not
much doubt about it. The results are somewhat of a
mixed bag.
Apparently in 2002 these dudes turned their backs on
experimental electronics and dance music to
concentrate on space rock. Well, not quite. Remnants
of their former sensibility survive in the electronic
rhythms and (at times) overpolished production values
on 'Deep Space, Distant Future.' 'Journey to the Far
Side of the Sun,' with its electronic drums giving it
a somewhat techno sound, is fairly typical of the
album. The vocals sound rather 80s romantic, even
gothy. The guitar, however, is quite tasty, doing a
serviceable imitation of Nik Turner's sax on
Hawkwind's 'In Search of Space.' Good stuff. 'The
Space Machine' is more rocking, propelled by the
guitars, though the rhythm drags it down. 'Mr. Moon'
is the album's finest tune, with a particularly
memorable vocal melody and the best use of electronic
rhythm on the disc. 'Cosmic Timebomb' is genuinely
weird, wandering into the strange mental states that
space rock sometimes inhabits. The echoing, treated
vocals work well as a paean to acid, and I swear it
sounds like they've got the ghost of Can's Michael
Karoli on guitar.
If Drunken Gunmen really want to go the distance into
the spaced-out realms, then they'll need a good living
and breathing rhythm section, particularly a good
stoned-out skin pounder like Hawkwind's Simon King or
Richard Chadwick. In the meantime, if you like your
space with a strong element of 80s new wave, perhaps adash of Kraftwerk, and a lingering dance vibe, check
out Drunken Gunmen.
Review by: Kevin McHugh
www.spacedoutsounds.com