Post by thesoundmonitor on Jul 10, 2004 1:08:16 GMT -5
THE BEVIS FROND
Hit Squad
(Rubric/Woronzow)
This is longtime English psychedelic underground leader Bevis Frond's 19th studio album in almost 20 years, and its one of their best. As somone who's been a foaming Bevis head since their first album came out, to my way of thinking the group has evolved
through several distinct - but not incompatible - musical phases. There was the acid-soaked far underground phase of the 1980s, with the stunning Cyke Bancroft drawings on the album jackets and the one-man-band feeling of the mid-fi sounds within, tuneage that unapologetically embraced the psych days of old with affection and talent. The group became more of a real ensemble as it moved into a harder phase in the 90s, exemplified by stunning albums like Superseeder and their still unequaled New River Head. From there the songs became more concise, exploring songwriting and musical craft in ever more mature ways lesser talents (and when you're talking about Bevis, almost everyone's a lesser talent) couldn't approach. Each stage of development flowed easily into the next, carrying with it the strengths of the groups’ previous investigations, always underlined by main man Nick Salomon's intelligent, ironic, biting lyrics and amazing, Hendrix-inspired
guitar work. The guy's a master of late 60s/early 70s psych musical forms, and unlike some of you he's old enough to remember the real deal. Experience and ability like that is hen's teeth rare let me tell you.
Hit Squad summarizes much of what this woefully underheard group has done, and its a perfect point of departure for the Bevis newbie. Some of the strongest tracks are also the hardest: the band serves up fuzz monsters that are equally hard and melodic in tunes like 'Dragons,' 'Through the Hedge,' and 'Am I Burning?'. There are floating, ethereal ballads in the form of 'Crumbs' and 'Fast Falls the Eventide,' and the group steps into goofy b-movie monster mash territory with the eponymous title track, featuring (if I'm not mistaken) Nick's daughter Deb on vocals. Incidentally, The Frond's albums serve as a kind of soundtrack to Deb growing up, as some of the earlier records have samples of her clear back in her toddler days.
Well, so much for that. This album is a fine sampler of all things Frond, there's no doubt about that, and there's no doubt about the songwriting and guitar playing talents of Mr. Nick. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't point out the too-often unsung abilities of bassist Adrian Shaw. For a talented multi-instrumentalist with his own string of idiosyncratic psychedelic solo albums behind him, he's really rather restrained on Hit Squad. Always interesting, mind you, but first and foremost in the rhythmic pocket. But if you decide to investigate The Bevis Frond, don't stop until you've checked out Ade as well. He has an unmatched musical pedigree, including stints with Hawkwind, Magic Muscle, Arthur Brown, and just about every cool figure from the English underground since 1970 or so. And don't forget about drummer Jules Fenton. Although I miss the ace drumming of ex-Camel Frond tub beater Andy Ward, Jules admirably fills the bill with style and ability.
This album will be released in 9/04 in the US on Rubric Records, which has now merged with heavy stoner faves Tee Pee. A wise move for all; let’s hope that more folks in the Children of Sabbath camp will investigate the hard psych best exemplified by The Bevis Frond. Hit Squad is a hell of a good place to start.
Kevin McHugh
P.S. I didn't have any written promo material for this review, so here's hoping the facts are more or less correct. Luv ya!
Label Site: www.rubricrecords.com
Hit Squad
(Rubric/Woronzow)
This is longtime English psychedelic underground leader Bevis Frond's 19th studio album in almost 20 years, and its one of their best. As somone who's been a foaming Bevis head since their first album came out, to my way of thinking the group has evolved
through several distinct - but not incompatible - musical phases. There was the acid-soaked far underground phase of the 1980s, with the stunning Cyke Bancroft drawings on the album jackets and the one-man-band feeling of the mid-fi sounds within, tuneage that unapologetically embraced the psych days of old with affection and talent. The group became more of a real ensemble as it moved into a harder phase in the 90s, exemplified by stunning albums like Superseeder and their still unequaled New River Head. From there the songs became more concise, exploring songwriting and musical craft in ever more mature ways lesser talents (and when you're talking about Bevis, almost everyone's a lesser talent) couldn't approach. Each stage of development flowed easily into the next, carrying with it the strengths of the groups’ previous investigations, always underlined by main man Nick Salomon's intelligent, ironic, biting lyrics and amazing, Hendrix-inspired
guitar work. The guy's a master of late 60s/early 70s psych musical forms, and unlike some of you he's old enough to remember the real deal. Experience and ability like that is hen's teeth rare let me tell you.
Hit Squad summarizes much of what this woefully underheard group has done, and its a perfect point of departure for the Bevis newbie. Some of the strongest tracks are also the hardest: the band serves up fuzz monsters that are equally hard and melodic in tunes like 'Dragons,' 'Through the Hedge,' and 'Am I Burning?'. There are floating, ethereal ballads in the form of 'Crumbs' and 'Fast Falls the Eventide,' and the group steps into goofy b-movie monster mash territory with the eponymous title track, featuring (if I'm not mistaken) Nick's daughter Deb on vocals. Incidentally, The Frond's albums serve as a kind of soundtrack to Deb growing up, as some of the earlier records have samples of her clear back in her toddler days.
Well, so much for that. This album is a fine sampler of all things Frond, there's no doubt about that, and there's no doubt about the songwriting and guitar playing talents of Mr. Nick. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't point out the too-often unsung abilities of bassist Adrian Shaw. For a talented multi-instrumentalist with his own string of idiosyncratic psychedelic solo albums behind him, he's really rather restrained on Hit Squad. Always interesting, mind you, but first and foremost in the rhythmic pocket. But if you decide to investigate The Bevis Frond, don't stop until you've checked out Ade as well. He has an unmatched musical pedigree, including stints with Hawkwind, Magic Muscle, Arthur Brown, and just about every cool figure from the English underground since 1970 or so. And don't forget about drummer Jules Fenton. Although I miss the ace drumming of ex-Camel Frond tub beater Andy Ward, Jules admirably fills the bill with style and ability.
This album will be released in 9/04 in the US on Rubric Records, which has now merged with heavy stoner faves Tee Pee. A wise move for all; let’s hope that more folks in the Children of Sabbath camp will investigate the hard psych best exemplified by The Bevis Frond. Hit Squad is a hell of a good place to start.
Kevin McHugh
P.S. I didn't have any written promo material for this review, so here's hoping the facts are more or less correct. Luv ya!
Label Site: www.rubricrecords.com