Posts Tagged ‘Stonerrock’

Album of the day: The Kings of Frog Island – III

Posted on Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: I was surprised to learn The Kings of Frog Island were releasing the third installment of their purported trilogy, not because two years after II was so soon, but just because I haven’t yet finished listening to that album. Nonetheless comes III, released like 2005’s self-titled and the 2008 follow-up through Germany’s Elektrohasch Schallplatten and a further development of the UK outfit’s fuzz-laden style.

At the center of the attack are vocalist/ guitarists Mark Buteux and Mat Bethancourt (the latter ex-Josiah and current Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra) and drummer Roger “Dodge” Watson, though Gavin Searle adds vocals, Gregg Hunt plays bass and there are numerous guests throughout. The Kings of Frog Island are what early Desert Sessions jams might have been had they happened in London in the winter instead of, well, the desert.

The main comparison point for The Kings of Frog Island has always been Queens of the Stone Age, and that holds true on III. After the opening intro ‘In Memoriam’, on which a list of condemned is read out over beating drums, there comes  ‘Glebe Street Whores’, which has shades of ‘Regular John’ from the Queens of the Stone Age 1998 self-titled release in its insistent rhythm and catchy riff. The vocals come on strong, somewhat overblown, and seem to rest on top of the instruments in the mix rather than cut through them, which can make them seem loud. That comes up again later in the album, but if you can find just the right volume and adjust your equalizer to fill out the sound, it’s not an issue.

One of III’s catchiest tracks, ‘Bride of Suicide’, follows ‘Glebe Street Whores’, and is pushed along at a good clip by steady snare hits from Watson and a good balance of cleaner and fuzz-soaked guitars over a long opening lead section. On first listen, III will sound like The Kings of Frog Island have abandoned some of the warmth of II, and maybe they have, I don’t know, but these songs are still plenty hairy.

Continue reading:  Hail to The Kings of Frog Island, Baby | The Obelisk.
(Special thanks to JJ Koczan for the very kind permission)

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Posted in 2010, Album of the Day, Roadburn Recommended | No Comments »

Album of the day: Yawning Man – Nomadic Pursuits

Posted on Friday, July 16th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: With new releases by both Yawning Man and Fatso Jetson (both delivered via Cobraside Distribution), 2010 is shaping up to be a banner year for fans of true desert rock. As in, rock, from the desert. It doesn’t get much more so than the sweetly ...read more

Album of the day: El Hijo de la Aurora – Lemuria

Posted on Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: Something surprising happens about seven minutes into Peruvian trio El Hijo de la Aurora’s debut CD, Lemuria (Ogro Records). What’s so far been a straightforward and admittedly terrifyingly desolate drone record takes a turn and a pure stoner rock riff is injected into the 11-minute ...read more

Album of the day: Josiah – Procession

Posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: Not knowing the circumstances that led British fuzz rockers Josiah to break up, I can only suppose it was a trenchant personal conflict between the three members that caused many studio blowouts, stage walk-offs, canceled personal appearances, etc., that will all be brought to the ...read more

Album of the day: Samsara Blues Experiment – Long Distance Trip

Posted on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: I can’t figure out why none of the myriad stoner indies out there has jumped on Berlin’s heavy psych rockers Samsara Blues Experiment. The German four-piece have recorded their first full-length, Long-Distance Trip, and sent it over for some preview-type listening, and especially coming off ...read more

Album of the day: The Brought Low – Third Record

Posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: What New York City rockers The Brought Low have always managed to do best is get right to the point, and on their latest offering, the appropriately titled Third Album (Small Stone), the trio make it known right away that they’re open for business. “Old ...read more

Cathedral New Album Details Revealed

Posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Veteran British doom / stoner band Cathedral will release its ninth full-length album and second for the Nuclear Blast label, The Guessing Game, on March 26. The CD was recorded at the Chapel studios in Lincolnshire, U.K. and was once again produced by Warren Riker (Down, Crowbar). It also sports ...read more

Album of the day: Church of Misery – Live at Roadburn 2009

Posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: Man, it was late when Japanese stoner doom legends — now in their 15th year of operation — took the stage at Roadburn 2009 at the 013 Popcentrum in Tilburg. Over on the main stage, Colour Haze was noodling out, and it was so packed ...read more

Soilent Green pulls out of Afterburner event; Outlaw Order replacement headliner. Samsara Blues Experiment added to Roadburn Festival 2010

Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

We’re very sorry to report that Soilent Green has pulled out of the 2010 Roadburn Afterburner event, set to take place, Sunday, April 18th at the 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland. Soilent Green’s Tommy Buckley, who is also in Crowbar, will be on tour, supporting Sepultura with Crowbar in April. There’s ...read more

Album of the day: Mondo Drag – New Rituals

Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: With minds expanded and set to the key of retro, Davenport, Iowa — which for those in the know is called “the San Francisco of Iowa” (that’s not true) — the high toned Mondo Drag emerge bearing psychedelic sweets that seem to melt as soon ...read more

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