WORLD MUSIC

This new group, who call themselves a collective and essentially formed from a commune, hails from Korpilombolo and Gothenburg, Sweden, and until recently, they had reportedly not performed outside of their commune. A rare 7″ exists, but World Music is their first LP, released in August 2012, and went three weeks on the Swedish charts no less. From their physical appearance to the music on the LP, they appear to be very intense individuals. African and Indian clothing with Mardi Gras-ish masks and voodoo priest-type outfits contribute to their dramatic performances that appear to the viewer as a secret cult ritual as much as a rock show. The LP artwork is also quite amazing, a beautiful die-cut geometrically psychedelic pattern of African origin with large windows of "W"s and "M"s letting the similar, but differently hued pattern inside show through.

The record is a strong debut of colorful, acidic, textural blasts of neo-psych, with enough different cultural musical references thrown in to become a sort of perfect melting pot. This is not world music as in the music genre of traditional sounds from the geographic world, but rather a reverent combine of the world of psych, from all points of the globe from where it came. With a simple acid-folkish feel, "Goatlord" evokes a candlelit meloncholic disquiet with a bit of spiritual chant. In some moments, one's reminded of the strange cult records of YaHoWa, and the never-ending free jams of Amon Duul, but Goat actually know how to play their instruments well and put together what one might call a "song".

It's not Metal though, this is Psych, Acid Rock mixed with influences from the Caribbean, Africa, Germany, and Vietnam, among others. "Let It Bleed" has a very strong Afro-Beat influence particularly in the repeating guitar melody line's interplay with the percussion. The standout track, "Det Som Aldrig Förändras/Diarabi" floats along in a semi-raga drone, but with a more danceable beat. It eventually settles down into a reprise of the first track to bring the whole album full circle. Although the record is not without its hiccups, particularly in sections that channel too much of the drum circle vibe, it begs for repeat listens, particularly for fans of Os Mutantes and WITCH.

LP issues: Stranded Rekords, Sweden, EKO 154 LP, Colored vinyl: 1st issue: Purple, Repress: Blue/Yellow Rocket Records, UK, LAUNCH048 LP, Colored vinyl: 1st issue: Orange, Represses: Green, Red, Yellow, Clear

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