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Headshear -
Headshear : : |
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Band/artist: Headshear
Title: Headshear
Released: 2006
Label: Big Balloon Music |
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Track
listing:
1. The Walking Tapestry
2. Chunky Navy part I
3. Phivunk
4. Complex Nothing
5. Mechanically Separated Chicken
6. Urban Conversation
7. Viscous
8. Chunky Navy part II
9. The Bitter Cold |
: : The Players : :
Gwynn Adams
(guitars), Deirdre Lynds (guitars), Van Spragins (bass), Matthew
Guggemos (drums). GUESTS: Igor Abuladze (guitars), Wally Scharold
(guitars) |
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Headshear is a band
based in the Bay Area in San Francisco, and with a history going back to
the late 90's, they finally managed to release their debut album in 2006.
Now, based on the location as well as the cover of their debut album,
you might suspect that this one will be all about metal in one form or
another. After all, the Bay Area have a history for producing good metal
bands, and the sci-fi cover with that grisly character wearing some kind
of futuristic equipment is something that at least I would normally
associate with metal in one way or another.
But instead, what Headshear has decided to offer the buying public is
music placed somewhere in the area between instrumental rock,
experimental rock and fusion. The drumming is technically good and
advanced when needed, without being adventurous or dominating in any
way. The bass guitar thumps and sways in a way that has jazz written all
over it; but without any soloing. The guitars are everywhere, with
disharmonies and criss-crossing melody lines, what appear to be elements
of atonalities to my listening ears and several examples of disharmonies
combined into making harmonies in the overall soundscape. But with no
soloing; just melody lines and the odd moments of riffs here and there
as well.
One obvious point of reference for this band is early 80's King Crimson;
the guitar sound on many tunes have that distinct sound and mood Fripp
played around with at that moment in time. Other tracks also made me
think about Sleepytime Gorilla Museum in places; as Headshear have their
heavier moments now and then.
As for the songs here
as such; for me they become a varied affair. The tracks sounding least
experimental; or maybe most accessible is a better term here, are very
good. And in my opinion, these tracks are the opening 3 songs on this
album. All of them relatively accessible, with good momentum and drive;
interesting melody lines and moods.
But after the opening tracks, the band seem to get more and more
experimental. Not quite my cup of tea; but for those who think that for
instance the second half of King Crimson's "Three of a Perfect Pair"
(disregarding later bonus tracks) is excellent music, the last 5 tracks
on this release will be heaven-sent.
Anyone into experimental and complex guitar-based experimental rock with
prog and fusion spicing should check this release out anyhow; as this
release is made for you people.
Rating: 6 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website :
:
: : Discography : :
Headshear (2006)
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