THE UNIVERSE ALSO COLLAPSES

This is post-Daevid Allen Gong at it's finest (so far, that is). In my opinion, at least. As stated by other reviewers before me, the previous album, Rejoice! I'm Dead, was the first without him or his moaning compatriot Gillie Smyth. That album has some good stuff on it but I don't listen to the songs as often as this one, they feel a little less distinct to my ears, but that might be due to unfamiliarity. I could say the same for last year's Unending Ascending. Of course, I also like Acid Motherhood just as much as You, so take my opinion with however sized salt grain you think necessary.

Perhaps the biggest differentiator between this album and the other two currently existing albums with this lineup is the longer songs. The opener, Forever Reoccurring, is a sidelong-sized piece, which I don't believe Gong has done before, at least not in the studio. Forever Reoccurring is very spacey the whole time, some might even accuse it of being overlong/not-proggy-enough. It allows a lot of building and expansion on the sounds and ideas from the start, but I can see the argument that it drags. My favorite part is near the beginning with the "Behind the meaning of another meaning" section, not that it really goes downhill from there, I just kinda wish it came back. The melody changes itself up a few times, there's a lot of fun instruments showing up throughout, but it falls a bit into that trap of psychedelic rock repeating the progression a few too many times. Perhaps parts of it could have used a bit of a trim. That, or add some pothead pixie noises or something? I understand it'd be hard to pull off without Allen, but I am one of the Gong fans who likes that side of the band just as much/perhaps more than the fully psych moments. Again, see my opinion on Acid Motherhood.

As a contrast to the previous song, If Never I'm And Ever You is perhaps too short. Or maybe it's the perfect length since it leaves us wanting more? Either way, what's here is a swell little sax- and keys-led song with a good bit of singing in there too. Like it a lot. My Sawtooth Wake next is back on the longer side of the Gong studio oeuvre. This one starts faster and harder than Forever Reoccurring, and slows down more than that song during a lot of the singing. The sax here really sells the Gong whimsy, perhaps more than anywhere else on the album (I had this thought around 5-5:10 into the song I'd say). The bass is also really good here too. Probably the best song on the album for most progheads here, though the next track is my favorite.

The Elemental is the last song, and the one I listen to the most. It's got a more infectious energy than the other ones, with the lighearted sax and handclaps and catchy tunes. I can handle a bit more normally structured or poppier songs on prog albums as long as they don't sound too sanitized and separate from the more complex ones. I think I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) is similar, I see people say it's not as good but I find it a pleasant little break that's still interesting in its own way. Perhaps more people in this review section would like this song more if it weren't last, I could see it as a good pace break between the two long songs alongside If Never I'm And Ever You. Still, I enjoy this one quite a bit!

I do like this current lineup of Gong a lot. This is my second or third favorite Gong album from after the classic Allen period. It's beat certainly by Acid Motherhood, and I'm also fond of Shamal and Gazeuse! but idk the exact order for those latter two. Kavus Torabi is the singer here, and I think he does well for the music but his voice fits better in his other band Knifeworld. Strangely enough, even though Cardiacs are my favorite band I heard Kavus for the first time with this album before I got into Tim Smith's merry band. I don't recognize the other members from other bands, but I did really enjoy Dave Sturt's bass playing the whole time. I'd also like to formally recognize that Cheb Nettles has the best name in prog. This lineup has been around for the most part since the last album with Allen's involvement, I See You, from 2014, and they have specifically been blessed by Allen to continue to Gong spirit. That makes them Gong enough for me!

...I would like just a bit of pixie shenanigans though...