Mothman, The Man – Mother Leeds’s 13th Child, Pts. 1 & 2
Similar artists: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, ORB
Genre: Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock
The moment punk-rock came back onto the charts, music critics rejoiced as if their nation had won the World Cup, or as if their children had won a scholarship to Wharton. It didn’t even matter that the folks who’d brought it back out were rich kids wearing thrift store clothes and getting the producer’s help on how to set up their amps to sound like Sterlin Morrison or Tom Verlaine.
But, recently, progressive-rock is getting a similar moment of revival, and the critics are much less ebullient. Sure, they’re happy. Why, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard could just as well be Yes with a sense of humor. But, like dealing with the Japanesse or the Germans, you do it while keeping your guard up. Old enemies don’t just become friends.
Well, I for one welcome back prog-rock whatever you decide to call it. Mothman, The Man’s “Mother Leeds’s 13th Child, Pts. 1 & 2,” is serious, but also funny, ambitious guitar music composed as if a classic composer had got a hold of distorted electric guitar and was learning how to play it. It’s music meant to soundtrack a journey through one’s mind, and, why wouldn’t we be happy to allow this to be a thing once more.
Loaf – Headaches
Similar artists: Melvins, The Breeders, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Sleep
Genre: Punk, Stoner Rock, Garage Rock
Guitars on records or live don’t sound like guitars anymore. It’s not like the electric six-string was anything sacred. But are we convinced we’ve found out all of its secrets, or that it doesn’t have the potential to impress or terrify anymore? Or, is it the fact that too much technology has become an auxiliary of guitar gear to the point that it’s destined to always get lost in the mix?
It must be embarrassing for guitar players. Sure, they still get employed. Yeah, someone with a six-string tied around their neck prancing on stage still looks cool, and the kids love it. But whether you’ve been handpicked to play guitar for Rihanna or for a modern metalcore band, you’ll find it very hard to explain your role to your friends and family. And they, in turn, will have to strain to hear you play.
Well, I tell you, the folks in Loaf still feel the electric guitar can be used as an instrument to frighten and affect on their single “Headaches.” Like an even more primitive, more pissed-off version of Melvins, Loaf love nothing more than playing distorted riffs at a slow, lumbering pace together with overpowering volume. Catch them live at your own risk. And, admit it – should we have really messed with the electric guitar in the first place and tried to replace it? Nah, not yet, at least.
Well, I tell you, the folks in Loaf still feel the electric guitar can be used as an instrument to frighten and affect on their single “Headaches.”
