TOMBOLA

This recording sounds so different from the debut. Lots of vocals on this album and it's not as spacey or heavy as their amazing first record. By the way the drummer thanks Bonzo, Bruford, Moon and Kate Bush among others.

"Silently Driftin'" opens with clanging noises that come and go. A laid back melody takes over. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Mandolin 2 minutes in. It kicks in before 3 1/2 minutes. The sound of a siren can be heard. "Blue Frozen Flame" opens with guitar before the drums take over. Then vocals and organ join in. "High On Hopes" has a good soundscape with relaxed guitar but i'm not a fan of the vocals. The guitarist starts to rip it up after 2 minutes. "Aura Fiducia" opens with the wind blowing as the guitar comes in then vocals. Violin 3 1/2 minutes in. It ends with whistling. "No Peak To Pass" is pretty heavy with some attitude. "Compromised Space" is led by drums and vocals early. A nice spacey soundscape takes over 4 minutes in although the vocals aren't the best. It's building. Great sound 5 1/2 minutes in.

"Healin' Skin" almost has a Country flavour to it with harmonica. Not a fan although it changes after 3 minutes with some good guitar. "Breath Messages" opens and closes with the sounds of someone breathing. I like the sound of this one when it gets going. Kind of dark with violin and vocals. "In The Spiral" has the focus squarely on the vocals. Spacey synths later. Not a fan of this one. "Ode To The Undone" is a good song. I like the violin and vocals on this laid back tune. "The Tunnel Inversion" turns heavy quickly as the mood and tempo continue to change. "Baby Gaia" is catchy but when the vocals come in it's not nearly as good. "Tombola" is such a good song probably my favourite. Laid back with sax late. I swear I hear mellotron in this one as well.

Overall this is barely 3 stars. My favourite style of Psychedelic music is more in line with their debut.

It has been a long time since I have heard from DarXtar, the last being when I reviewed 'Sju' back in #35 (1996) and it is some surprise to discover that this is the first full-length album since then. I have always viewed them very favourably and thought that within the realms of space rock there were few bands that could touch them. That viewpoint has been reinforced with the release of 'Tombola' which was completed as long ago as 1998 but has taken until last year to seethe light of day. Apparently they are now starting on their next project which they are determined will not take as long to be released.

DarXtar are still very influenced by Hawkwind (and have recorded with Nik Turner in the past) and songs such as "Compromised Space" contain passages that are so close to their sound that a Hawkfan would say that they were previously unheard recordings by them. But there are also strong elements of Floyd and even at times The Beatles which make this the strongest release of theirs to date. They admit that this has been overdubbed many times and is certainly multi-layered with the band using many different instruments to create a sound that is both unique and highly recognisable.

Although it is an album that may only appeal to a few it is a space rock album of some considerable strength and one that I have enjoyed playing immensely. I urge all fans of the genre to check this out immediately, if not sooner.

Originally appeared in Feedback #71, Dec 02