THE DEVOURING

Djam Karet are an instrumental band from California, formed in the mid-1980s. They take their name from an Indonesian term loosely translated as "elastic time." This was the band's first album for Cuneiform records. I heard this years ago but recently had a chance to listen to it again about 5-7 times before typing this review. On this album at least, there is a strong Pink Floyd and King Crimson influence, from both the '70s and '80s. DK's sound is often split betwwen a more rocking side and a more ambient side. The Devouring fits mostly in the former.

Some of the song titles here are pretty good. "Night Of The Mexican Goat Sucker" starts out almost blues-rock with atmospheric keyboards. Nice riff during this part. Changes to a different riff, now with organ doubling. Changing again with slap bass and soaring, harmonized guitars. Nice synth playing here and there. "Forbidden By Rule" has lots of start/stop dynamics and some Mellotron. Later harmonized guitars as the tempo slows down. Music stops briefly, then a different section with repeated guitar lines. The bass here reminds me of '80s Zappa. Then a guitar solo. Drumming gets more varied and interesting with some synth squiggles. Goes back to the slower tempoed part, now with some nice chorused guitar and Mellotron.

"Lost, But Not Forgotten" is a highlight. It opens with symphonic Mellotron and jazzy organ. Then the rhythm section plays a mid-tempo groove while the guitar sounds like a cross between a harmonica and a saxophone. Drums stop and some cool synth sounds. Returns to the groove but it is now slightly faster. Later atmospheric keyboards and David Gilmour style guitar. Then some great organ, drums and bass come in sounding almost like Santana; especially when the percussion gets added. Song mellows out at the end. "Myth Of A White Jesus" sounds like a cross between David Gilmour solo and Robert Fripp solo.

"The River Of No Return" opens with atmospheric and spacey synth sounds. You briefly hear a woman talking. Then some Fripp style guitar. Almost halfway changes to an almost New Wave sounding part. The drumming gets more interesting. Later some congas or something along with keyboards and melodic bass playing. "The Pinzler Method" sounds like Fripp & Eno at first, then the bass and drums come in and it sounds like Peter Gabriel's "Exposure." That song of course was produced by Fripp, who also played on it.

"Old Soldier's Disease" starts out almost like '80s Floyd. Then switches to an almost waltz style with great Mellotron and synth playing. Then some organ. Just overdubbed Mellotrons for awhile. Bass and drums come back and then harmonized guitar. A bass solo. Later on another bass solo. Then a guitar solo. About halfway starts the best part with a repeated guitar figure and fast hi-hat. Tempo slows down and another guitar solo. This track is another highlight.

This being the only album I've heard from Djam Karet, I'm quite impressed. They don't win any points for originality, but make great use of their influences. Great instrumental prog music. Highly recommended to those who enjoy other guitar and keyboard based instrumental rock groups. I will give this 4 stars.