QOPH - Freaks - LP colour Nasoni
€
18
$
21
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Description
Original Erscheinungsjahr: Year originally published: Label: Nasoni Label: Nasoni Zustand: Neuware Condition: New Land: Schweden Country: Sweden Stil: Progressiv Style: Progressiv Herstellungsjahr: 2012 Date manufactured: 2012 Medium: LP Media: LP Gewicht.: 290 Weight.: 290 Artikelnr.: NASONI126C Cat. no.: NASONI126C
Bemerkungen / Comments:
Exiting album by this outstanding Swedish band. Their unique sound is deeply rooted in early-70's UK Progressive- & Art-Rock, blend with a heavy psychedelic touch and a dose of Stoner-Rock power. People say that they sound a bit like Soft Machine meets Alex Harvey Band meets Gentle Giant meets November. But this would be too easy for to define this band's rich and varied sound, because all in all they sound like QOPH! This means marvellous vocal harmonies and dual-guitar virtuosity climbing to acrobatic hights, trippy electronical effects with Moog and Theremin, floating Mellotron here and bluesy riffing there. This double vinyl contains 3 more tracks than the CD version.
Swedish band QOPH was formed in the mid 90's, and released one album back in 1998 (Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter) and a second in 2004 (Pyrola) before they appears to have hit a spell of inactivity. Come 2012 and Qoph returns again with their third full length studio album, 'Freaks', which was released on Swedish label Transubstans Records.
The main basis for the majority of the material at hand this time around appears to revolve around a solid rhythm foundation and strong, distinct vocals. Compelling drum patterns and a mostly dark-toned, somewhat peculiar bass guitar sound that often crafts a distinct underlying atmosphere throughout. With strong, melodic vocals on top as a key feature. Then there's the guitars of course. Sometimes dark-toned and aggressive in a rather Tony Iommi inspired manner, sometimes light in tone and gentler in expression but most of all with a clear and distinct emphasis on distorted delivery in a psychedelic drenched manner whether we're treated to gentler licks, harder riffs or guitar solo excursions. Not psychedelic through and through, but you're never far away from the psych-drenched guitars on this album, that's for sure. And perhaps somewhat peculiar, we're also treated to a few occasional nods in the direction of jazzrock. Not in an overly manner, but more on a subtle level.
With a few detours here and there this is a solid album, although the final two pieces to my ears is somewhat of a downwards slide. The blend of energetic classic rock and lazier, jazzoriented movements on Remedy doesn't really work out for me, and while the initial movements of the following The Devil Rides Out are compelling in a light psychedelic meets jazz kinda manner, the darker toned, almost avant foundation of the main part of this song never really struck home with me.
Those two exceptions aside 'Freaks' is an enjoyable romp through a psychedelic laced classic and progressive rock universe, with nods in the direction of artists as different as The Doors, The Beatles and Black Sabbath to be enjoyed along the way. And comes recommended to those with a taste for psychedelic rock that enjoy a bit of variety.
(progarchives)
1. Hearts & Sorrows (5:28)
2. Seconds & Minutes (3:02)
3. In Your Face (4:56)
4. Ride (3:37)
5. Feverland (4:35)
6. The Weirdness To Come (5:13)
7. Freaks (4:36)
8. Remedy (4:44)
9. The Devil Rides Out (7:11)
Total time 43:19
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