Dallas' Land Mammal are comprised primarily of Will Weise (ex-Gypsy Sun Revival) – Guitar/Sitar/Bass/Lap Steel and Kinsley August on Vocals. Joining the duo are Phil Soapsmith – Bass and Bryan David on Drums/Guitar/Lap Steel/Piano/Synth/production duties. Included amongst the multitude of guest musicians is the great Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless who brings his Guitar heroics to a couple of tracks.
Prior to Emergence came 2019's S/T EP, 2021's debut full-length Slow Your Mind and 2022's standalone single 'Make Believe World'. The album's stunning artwork comes courtesy of Robin Gnista who'd designed the covers to the band's previous releases and which betrays the band's heavy Psych inclinations (aesthetically and sonically). There's also a hippy vibe which the promo-notes highlight as it encourages us to 'light some incense and get enlightened'. Onto the record...
'Doors To Reality' is an instrumental and the shortest track on the album with some serious Ravi Shankar vibes, its meditative feel making for a pleasant way with which to commence proceedings. 'Tear You Down' continues its predecessor's Sitar obsessions and immediately reminded me of Jane's Addiction thanks to the exploratory Led Zeppelin moments and Kingsley August's Perry Farrell type Vocals. Rock hasn't the greatest history of utilizing music from the Indian subcontinent, as embarrassing results from Kula Shaker testifies to and also Cornershop's landfill Indie blandness. That's thankfully not the case with Land Mammal who have managed to produce something infinitely more authentic. 'Emergence', the longest piece on the record, is darker sounding with ominous Bass and comparatively introverted to the sheer exuberant joy of 'Tear You Down'. The Gothic flavourings probably account for the shift in tone, Siouxsie Sioux fronting Om for example, or the much overlooked Arizona Psych outfit Black Sun Ensemble who weren't strangers to moodier, downbeat sounds themselves, fantastic stuff.
'Separation' is yet another instrumental, this time with oriental inclinations that makes it an exceptionally pleasant interlude while 'Divide' and its tasty riffs have a Grunge tinge not unlike Soundgarden. Led Zeppelin's influence is never far though with the sense of drama, scope and grandeur that is conjured and which can be attributed to Maria Grigoryeva's lovely string contributions, this is the band's 'Kashmir' moment and its simply brilliant. 'I Am' is an anthemic delight to listen to with the absolutely massive soaring choruses that take you straight into the stratosphere, I can guarantee that audiences across the States and the world will be singing along in unadulterated delight. 'The Circle' curiously recalls A Perfect Circle, both that band's enigmatic appeal (thanks to Maynard James Keenan) as well as their Progressive Art-Rock leanings looming large to brilliant effect. 'Transcendence (Part I)' is wonderful, bringing to mind bands such as Samsara Blues Experiment and genre hopping Swedes Motorpsycho; as well as vintage 70's Progressive acts as Uriah Heep and Birth Control. Beautifully paced and a joy to listen to, especially for a fan of the aforementioned acts. 'Transcendence (Part II)' the longer of the two 'Transcendence' pieces is a sequel not just in name but partly in style. Organ sounds still abound but there is a more Space-Rock element present that reminds one of Pink Floyd and tracks such as 'Set the Control for the Heart of the Sun'. Italians UFOmammut are also worth a passing mention, particularly with regards to the Bass work, reminiscent of Urlo from that band. A wonderfully tripped out conclusion to the album.
Land Mammal defy their name, there's nothing 'earth-based' or 'organic' about their sound. Instead its an otherworldly, spiritual experience that takes you on the best legal high you're ever likely to experience. Recommended.
Comentarios