ANTLERS

All Day makes my day :-), maybe due to the well appointed second part, floating, intensive, backed by melancholic keyboard patterns, even the vocals are inspired really. Unfortunately I could not find out who is playing the organ - though not that virtuoso in comparison to the guitar work Wolfgang Daniel and Christian Brady do provide - this brings some fresh blood to the sound nevertheless. '2607 Space Godz' is a compelling work as for a quick summary, if you should claim to get some references to bands similar in sound I would name Verma, Papir, Magic Lantern - 3.5 stars.

Earlier this year I was digging through the suggestions thread here on PA and was fortunate enough to stumble over these lads from the mighty land of milk and honey. Sometimes you get lucky around this place - I'll tell you - go out and take a chance once in a while - press play on one of those YouTube/Bandcamp/Soundcloud thingies, and suddenly you're somewhere else - far far away from where just were two minutes earlier. Antlers did that to me, and remarkably so - they actually still do.

Imagine a ferocious rock n roll fuelled psychedelic math infused space music, that sounds as powerful and paintpeeling as it does beautifully soaring. The lead guitar here feels like a freewheelin' psychedelic take on one of Tony Iommi's utmost complex and wonderfully angular moments in the Vol. 4 riff from Cornucopia. We are indeed some - out there in the world of Aladdins and jungle-jims, who take to it's bulky and overt shapeshifting nature - so now just picture how this beast would sound like transported into the kind of music that offers up The Who like energy anno ca 1965 combined with two large trucks full of twangy - proper rock n roll surfer sounding 60s rhythm guitar - y'know the ones that go 'pling- plang'. Add to that the mad-hat top cat qualities of a drummer who genuinely recalls a Neanderthal Keith Moon impersonating Frankenstein on speed - plus the deepest belching bass you'll ever come across, zooming in your face - up front and together with the angular riffing - conjuring up that oh so special feel of the ol mod scene, albeit with a psychedelic free and punk like attitude thrown into it's midst.

Only lasting some 28 minutes, you'd think this baby was an EP, yet it doesn't feel that way. I maybe slightly absurd in my thinking, but I thought about Italian band Dalton, who is one of the only other acts that I know off who've been able to achieve something similar, back when they released their riveting debut. I think it last 27 minutes - and yes they sound nothing like Anlers! Anyway, 2607 Space Godz delivers a full mental voyage - something finite, and circular for some reason. One of the key things to this feat, is the recurring interlude/powerhouse red thread penetrating each and every orifice of this outing. Spirit of Space is the name of the track, and it sticks it's sticky mantraing face up between each of the tracks - like a real sonic bridge connecting musical dots all over this mother. When you finally come to the end, you feel like you just ran the marathon - on skis.

The production sounds like a real live recording in the studio, and if you didn't know any better you'd think this album was a remnant from 69. All of the right, warm and thrilling attributes of the production they had back then - all of that is here in full. That to me, is something quite mesmerising. I really love the feel of this thing.

I really do feel transported back to a time of genuine experimentation within the rock mould - I'm talking Quicksilver Messenger Service with big fat riffage, and a time where you didn't have to sing straight, or even be understood - just feel the vibe of the music and tune in wordlessly vocals. They do that here as well, and it feels like a real windy Navajo cowboy from way out west - singing odes to the screaming howling desert sands in blooming orange storms. These vocalisations are a thing of true beauty, and they work so well within the rampaging ring of fire of the instruments, consequently adding more to that ever so flighty feel of togetherness that fills this record to the brim. One long track - divided into different segments/personalities and entities. Hell, you've even got something akin to ambient flutters - only done with guitar wails, thankfully never outstaying their welcome.

You need this one. Yes, I'm talking to you - over there in the corner with the snakeskin hat and the cool cat vibe - with your 60s inspirations up the wazzo and your indie like beatnik stare. A stare that claims to have seen the world and beyond.......... YOU yes you - get on with it!