Monolith Cocktail 002
Dominic Valvona & Richie Anger
Esben And The Witch – ‘33’ EP
Young Richie, whose review of DeerHunter in last month’s blog mentioned them as a support act, has brought these guys to my attention.
On investigation I found a Brighton three piece immersed with the sounds of the macabre via some Victorian Spiritualist meeting, seated at this séance is Scott Walker, Thom Yorke, Amon Duul II and Siouxsie Sioux.
Though a relatively new band these guys have picked up a nice slot supporting DeerHunter and appeared at the last minute on the bill of TGE last month.
Still unsigned, which is a travesty, Esben has already managed to produce a pretty distinct sound which covers the Gothic, Electronica and Atmospheric cool of recent bands like School of Seven Bells.
The strange name of the band comes from a Danish fairytale, which can be investigated on the Myspace site; the gist of the tale is like the Brothers Grimm but with a more horrendous twist.
They have released a 5 track EP is out now. Lets have a look at the tracks below.
The opening coral beauty of ‘Abstract’ sets the tone of this haunting record as it creeps into the second track ‘Eumendies’ a rather young sounding Siouxsie Sioux fronting The Cocteau Twins. Heavy in atmosphere and loaded with effects that gradually build to a quasi-disco beat backing before vanishing into the mire, this oozes with confidence.
‘Marching Song’ reminds me a little of the old Britpop band The Audience (famous for being fronted by a young Sophie Ellis Baxter). Lyrically we are treated to Second World War poetry and a hint of Blake dragged for the beatniks, put that in your pipe! A real grower and fast becoming my favourite tune on this EP but that’s because I like a bit of the old melancholy.
Next up is the sweeping electronica of ‘About The Peninsula’ that strongly sows the same furrow as Thom Yorke seminal ‘Eraser’. We get much more of the drum machines and industrial gothic sound on this one, its possibly in my mind the more radio friendly track, I do hate that term.
Finishing the EP is ‘Corridors’ a sweeping epic drenched in brooding layers of effects that goes all out on the dark electronic vibe whilst the vocals have a lush yet underlying anger to them that has a resemblance to Bjorks darker tomes.
A great record, which mixes romantic despair with an eerie sense of drama, a soundtrack to the scribble illustrations of Eddie Campbell (illustrated Alan Moores From Hell) and the films of Werner Herzog.
Check it them out at: -
http://www.myspace.com/esbenandthewitch
1. Abstract
2. Eumendies
3. Marching Song *
4. About The Peninsula *
5. Corridor
*Denotes stand out tracks.
Diss Corner
Yes the have a go corner, this issue we will have to address The Horrors.
What the fuck is all this lavish acclaim that has been heaped on these undernourished, foppy, middleclass boys about?
One Guardian critic went totally overboard, almost solely congratulating them on creating Krautrock, Cabaret Voltaire and Echo & The Bunnyman.
Lets get this straight, as I told that Kasabian the other week, krautrock is a meaningless derogatory term used to band together an array of deferent groups from the late Sixties to the Seventies in Germany.
None of them have much in common and they don’t have a specific sound.
I mean for Christ sake what have Can and Amon Duul II got in common?
Can were mostly made up of classical musicians and were in their thirties before they made a record, Amon Duul II were trying to plough a new furrow from the remains of the Californian west coast.
Using the term usually means you think its cool, I wish that a band would explain why their influenced by it and what aspects their using and why.
The new Horrors LP is not in any way a new sound. Yes the new stuff is an improvement on the sixties teenage shutdown obsessed debut but I have to admit through people who know them first hand, this came with at least a love of and the source material.
I mean rip off Can’s ‘Mother Sky’ why don’t you! It only ever sold a handful of copies in the Seventies so no one will know what you did.
That’s the other contention these band names that get tossed around in the air never seem to get anything out of it.
I will write a great tome on German bands soon so look out.
Ones to watch:-
Sunny Day Sets Fire – ‘Summer Palace’ LP
Explosions in the sky, Coral, BSP and Arcade Fire is that good enough for yeah?
Playing the Bestival in September.
http://www.myspace.com/officialsunnydaysetsfire
White Denim – ‘Fits’ LP coming out on the 22nd June
I’ve written extensively on these guys the incarnation of Hendrix Experience with Cream, Nuggets and afro beat. Possibly the best band to come out of the US in the last two years bar none.
http://www.myspace.com/whitedenimmusic
Next MC003 Manics gig review, more albums and top twenty Canadian bands records you should own.
DV / RA
