KINSKI / ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE

This was my first taste of the wonderful drugged out worlds of Acid Mothers Temple and Kinski. As many of you may or may not know Acid Mothers Temple is the most known psychedelic jam band in Japan that has spawned countless releases and collaborations and to this day they still do. On the other side of the coin we have the US band Kinski who change their style in almost every release. These two bands joined forces to release possibly the best introduction to both of their music.

The album starts with Kinski's "Fell Asleep On Your Lawn". It's one Kinski's most lively songs in their catalog (and on this album as well). It's very post-rock inspired with it's repetitive riffs and then an explosion in just 3 minutes into the song. You might think that Kinski is a typical post-rock band by listening to this first 3 minutes, but that quickly changes with seconds after the explosion. Psychedelic guitars now dominate your speakers with some seriously trippy effects. Even the great groove at the start of the songs stops for a minute or so to lend space for the drugged effects. The song with an ethereal touch for the last 2 minutes of the song. This is without a doubt the best song on the album and one of the best songs you'll hear from Kinski as well. A wonderful way to start this album.

The second song, "It's Nice To Hear Your Voice" is a Kinski song but with collaboration from the AMT crew. This one is takes a hazier mood than the first one. It still feels like Kinski circa "Airs Above Your Station", but with the repetitiveness of AMT. Atmospheric synths and airy guitar in the background are the ones that dominate this song, and after half of the song has passed the guitar takes the center stage. Very similar to that of post-rock bands, but with a space rock touch. The third song, "Planet Crazy Gold" is when AMT takes the wheel. They're helped by the Kinski crew in this song. The song can be easily compared to the second song on the album, but more AMT influenced. Instead of "atmospheric synths and airy guitar" we're treated with droning sitars and trippy moogs and even someone chanting in the background for extra AMTness. Like the previous song, this one is ambient and repetitive in nature. The last song, "Virginal Plane" is a full on AMT jam just like the other 20 minute jams they normally play. It isn't that different from their other jams in their studio albums so fans will really dig this.

This is a wonderful introduction to both Kinski and Acid Mothers Temple. All the elements that can be found in both bands are present here. My only complaint is that after listening to other AMT songs I found that there are better songs from them than this one, but for starters this is a real treat. For fans of both bands this shouldn't be a priority, but for the ones who don't know who these two bands are then go and dive head first into this amazing split.

3.7 out of 5