BLACK EQUUS

One of the rare examples of a zeuhl space rock band, the Chicago based GA'AN released two albums, the first self-titled album in 2009 and then followed it with BLACK EQUUS in 2011. During this short time synthesizer player Jeremiah Fisher and bassist / synth player Jason Sublette both left the band leaving only vocalist Lindsay Powell and drummer Seth Sher. The duo added Tyson Torstensen to the team who played not only bass and synthesizers but also added the electric piano making the band a trio. At this point the band also enjoyed the benefit of the Captcha label releasing not only this second album but also reissuing its cassette only debut on vinyl. Still no CD versions of either album exist. A combo package would be nice.

Continuing the mix of Magma inspired zeuhl martial rhythms along with the ethereal space rock style of Popol Vuh and other Krautrock bands, GA'AN's second album is more of the same but also quite different in many ways as well. The main difference are the vocals of Lindsay Powell who on the debut existed on the ethereal plane and delivered a consistent flow of angelic high register wordless utterances. On BLACK EQUUS she has reentered the Earthly realms and sounds less aerial as well as sounding like she's actually singing although i'm not able to tel if she's singing in some fictitious language or just nonsensical words this time. She rather sounds like Grace Slick on this one with a lower register vocal style. Once again the album is drenched in synthesized atmospheres, a bouncy bass groove and the frenetic drumming style of Seth Sher.

Also the tracks are much longer on BLACK EQUUS as this album has only three long ones rather than six shorter ones with the the closing "Call Of The Black Equus" almost reaching 19 minutes. Also this second album is more musical and less hypnotic. The vocals form clusters of melodies like Powell is perpetually trying to break into a Jefferson Airplane song but never quite does. The bass and synthesizers add cyclical melodic loops that offer a bit more variation than the droning and ethereal Kraut-zeuhl of the debut. The bass features a thicker distortion and there are many more moments of genuine rock. For example the closing track breaks up into a few motifs with rock as key player. The keys play different roles this time around too with one active and the other sort of passively ambient. The drumming is more diverse as are the throbbing bass grooves. Basically this one isn't as minimalistic as the self-titled debut.

This one will appeal more to those who want more of a progressive rock feel to the album whereas the debut will appeal to the space trippers who want a detached and free floating kosmische experience. Personally i think they've both excellent however i do prefer the higher register angelic vocal style of the debut to this Grace Slick impersonator shtick. It's not horrible or anything but just not as pleasant however as far as the instrumental side of the equation is concerned, this album is much more dynamic whereas the other one proceeded with caution. This one just goes for it with bold reckless abandon. Very distinct differences on this one but still a very unique expression of zeuhl and space rock commingling together. I'm not sure what happened to this band because they appear to still be active but since it's been 13 years since BLACK EQUUS was released there's no telling when or even if a third album will emerge. GA'AN definitely stands out as something unique though. Recommended for adventurous listeners looking for something different.